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Beyond the Mirror #1
Monsters in the Mirror
A gripping new fantasy adventure from bestselling & Carnegie nominated author, A. J. Hartley, appealing to lovers of Artemis Fowl and Mortal Engines.
‘Fantastic, surprising fun!’ R. L. Stine - author of Goosebumps.
Darwen Arkwright’s world is turned upside down when he is forced to move from a small English town to Atlanta in the United States of America. Feeling out of place and struggling to fit in at school, Darwen seeks solace in a mysterious shop full of mirrors. It’s there that he discovers the ability to step through mirrors into
different worlds – worlds beyond his wildest imagination. Darwen befriends creatures including Moth, a tiny being with mechanical wings, but he soon learns that there is a terrible darkness threatening this new world . . . and only he can save it.
The problem with doors is that they open both ways. There are monsters inside, and some of them are trying to get out . . .
‘Fantastic, surprising fun!’ R. L. Stine - author of Goosebumps.
Darwen Arkwright’s world is turned upside down when he is forced to move from a small English town to Atlanta in the United States of America. Feeling out of place and struggling to fit in at school, Darwen seeks solace in a mysterious shop full of mirrors. It’s there that he discovers the ability to step through mirrors into
different worlds – worlds beyond his wildest imagination. Darwen befriends creatures including Moth, a tiny being with mechanical wings, but he soon learns that there is a terrible darkness threatening this new world . . . and only he can save it.
The problem with doors is that they open both ways. There are monsters inside, and some of them are trying to get out . . .
424 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 21, 2025
2.5⭐️
Borrowed this from my brother’s book shelf, the shimmery cover was calling me haha. It has steampunk and fantasy realism elements wrapped in a YA adventure story!
Somewhat enjoyable but I think some things could’ve been fleshed out more to make the fantasy more convincing. Also, I get that with books like these, there is an expectation to carry a certain whimsy with the characters or dialogue, but the dialogue felt incongruous considering its setting.
It’s based in Atlanta at a wealthy school but the way everyone talks is really proper lol.. like it’s still ATLANTA😭😭 that was the least believable part for me. The teachers would criticise the main character Darwen’s failure to sound American but they themselves would speak using quite sophisticated English language and expressions. Perhaps I’m being nit-picky but it just threw me off a lot..which is why I wound up skimming the final 100 pages🤧
Borrowed this from my brother’s book shelf, the shimmery cover was calling me haha. It has steampunk and fantasy realism elements wrapped in a YA adventure story!
Somewhat enjoyable but I think some things could’ve been fleshed out more to make the fantasy more convincing. Also, I get that with books like these, there is an expectation to carry a certain whimsy with the characters or dialogue, but the dialogue felt incongruous considering its setting.
It’s based in Atlanta at a wealthy school but the way everyone talks is really proper lol.. like it’s still ATLANTA😭😭 that was the least believable part for me. The teachers would criticise the main character Darwen’s failure to sound American but they themselves would speak using quite sophisticated English language and expressions. Perhaps I’m being nit-picky but it just threw me off a lot..which is why I wound up skimming the final 100 pages🤧
March 3, 2019
Fantasy fans, look no further. Action, magic, charm... this book has all that you're looking for and more. (And not to mention THAT COVER! it's just stunning)
*SPOILER FREE, ADVANCED REVIEW*
A.J. Hartley crafts the 'fish out of water' story to perfection, with main character Darwen struggling to deal with a move from the grey streets of England to the bright, bustling USA. But when he comes across a mysterious mirror shop that goes unnoticed by everyone else, he discovers his life is about to change forever.
These mirrors don't just reflect what's in front of them. They're homes to something lurking behind.
And they're trying to break free...
What ensures is a great balance of school drama and epic adventure, which unfolds at a pace that lets you connect to each character (Darwen's inventive friend Rik and the bossy, yet loyal Alexandra being standouts) whilst still keeping the action frequent and exciting. Not to mention the main villains are what I can only describe as badass biker goblins. The book world needs more badass biker goblins.
Overall if you're looking for a fantasy story that you'll eagerly remember years from now, this is the book for you. Truth be told, it's something I wish I could have experienced as a child. But, if you're like me and you embrace your inner child, this book will ignite your imagination and keep you craving the next book long after you've closed the pages of this one.
Oh yes, it's a series people!
*SPOILER FREE, ADVANCED REVIEW*
A.J. Hartley crafts the 'fish out of water' story to perfection, with main character Darwen struggling to deal with a move from the grey streets of England to the bright, bustling USA. But when he comes across a mysterious mirror shop that goes unnoticed by everyone else, he discovers his life is about to change forever.
These mirrors don't just reflect what's in front of them. They're homes to something lurking behind.
And they're trying to break free...
What ensures is a great balance of school drama and epic adventure, which unfolds at a pace that lets you connect to each character (Darwen's inventive friend Rik and the bossy, yet loyal Alexandra being standouts) whilst still keeping the action frequent and exciting. Not to mention the main villains are what I can only describe as badass biker goblins. The book world needs more badass biker goblins.
Overall if you're looking for a fantasy story that you'll eagerly remember years from now, this is the book for you. Truth be told, it's something I wish I could have experienced as a child. But, if you're like me and you embrace your inner child, this book will ignite your imagination and keep you craving the next book long after you've closed the pages of this one.
Oh yes, it's a series people!
March 29, 2019
We’ve all wanted to open that wardrobe door and escape into Narnia haven’t we? Well I certainly have!
Disappearing into another world that is built so beautifully, it doesn’t matter that it’s not real because it feels that it is with each page we turn.
A J Hartley has created his very own Narnia with Mirrors, that will leave you glancing at every mirror pass, looking from the corner of your eye, hoping to see something different.
We follow Darwen, who feels trapped between two worlds already, as he discovers another filled with monsters you’ll just love to add to your imagination, from Flittercakes to the Scrobblers, these new creatures and their world will have you wishing you could stay in their adventure forever. Darwen learns to navigate this new world while trying to adjust to a new life, in a new place, in a school he’d rather not attend. But as the story unfolds and he makes some unlikely friends, he realises his new life may hold more for him than he could have ever imagined.
Beautifully created and complimented with eye catching illustrations and designs, this is ideal for any fantasy lovers craving something new and fresh, but still with that classic fantasy feel.
Leaving you itching for the next instalment so you can divide back in!
Just be careful you don’t try and divide into your nearest mirror afterwards and bump your head.
Dark and entertaining, but not too dark. Monsters In the Mirror has the perfect balance, exploring friendship, identity and imagination to its fullest!
Illustrated by Manuel Sumberac and Published by UCLAN Monsters In the Mirror
Disappearing into another world that is built so beautifully, it doesn’t matter that it’s not real because it feels that it is with each page we turn.
A J Hartley has created his very own Narnia with Mirrors, that will leave you glancing at every mirror pass, looking from the corner of your eye, hoping to see something different.
We follow Darwen, who feels trapped between two worlds already, as he discovers another filled with monsters you’ll just love to add to your imagination, from Flittercakes to the Scrobblers, these new creatures and their world will have you wishing you could stay in their adventure forever. Darwen learns to navigate this new world while trying to adjust to a new life, in a new place, in a school he’d rather not attend. But as the story unfolds and he makes some unlikely friends, he realises his new life may hold more for him than he could have ever imagined.
Beautifully created and complimented with eye catching illustrations and designs, this is ideal for any fantasy lovers craving something new and fresh, but still with that classic fantasy feel.
Leaving you itching for the next instalment so you can divide back in!
Just be careful you don’t try and divide into your nearest mirror afterwards and bump your head.
Dark and entertaining, but not too dark. Monsters In the Mirror has the perfect balance, exploring friendship, identity and imagination to its fullest!
Illustrated by Manuel Sumberac and Published by UCLAN Monsters In the Mirror
July 27, 2019
I read Monsters in the Mirror a couple of months ago and even as I write this review I remember how impressive it was as a middle grade fiction.
Monsters in the Mirror is the story of Darwin Arkwright. He has just moved from a small city in England to America to live with his aunt. He is dealing with the loss of his parents, living in an unusual place, having to go to a new school and make new friends. Oh and he has a mirror that leads to another world filled with monsters.
Sounds a bit random but for a middle grade fantasy this is pretty good stuff. Darwen soon realises that he has a mission within this other world and with a small circle of close friends he manages to start out on his epic adventure.
There were some aspects of this book that were truly terrifying. Some of the monsters are so creepy that I, a fully grown adult, was creeped out by. AJ Hartley has managed to make the monsters sinister but also very original. I often think that monster stories can be overdone but Hartley sets the correct tone and allows the imagination of the reader to soar.
This is a really good middle grade novel. I am looking forward to the sequel.
Monsters in the Mirror by AJ Hartley is available now.
Monsters in the Mirror is the story of Darwin Arkwright. He has just moved from a small city in England to America to live with his aunt. He is dealing with the loss of his parents, living in an unusual place, having to go to a new school and make new friends. Oh and he has a mirror that leads to another world filled with monsters.
Sounds a bit random but for a middle grade fantasy this is pretty good stuff. Darwen soon realises that he has a mission within this other world and with a small circle of close friends he manages to start out on his epic adventure.
There were some aspects of this book that were truly terrifying. Some of the monsters are so creepy that I, a fully grown adult, was creeped out by. AJ Hartley has managed to make the monsters sinister but also very original. I often think that monster stories can be overdone but Hartley sets the correct tone and allows the imagination of the reader to soar.
This is a really good middle grade novel. I am looking forward to the sequel.
Monsters in the Mirror by AJ Hartley is available now.
October 30, 2020
Darwen has just moved to Atlanta to live with his aunt and feels completely out of place. When a strange, bat-like creature catches his eye in a shopping mall, he is led to the mysterious and wonderful Mr Octavius Peregrine's Reflectory Emporium where he discovers there are other worlds behind the mirror.
The gorgeous holographic cover and the contents pages immediately hint at a very magical book. The book is full of so many weird creatures, like Scrobblers, terrifying apelike giants on top of huge motorbikes, and Gnashers, monsters with no head but a horrible mouth in their chest and lots of shark-like teeth. Of course there are also lovely creatures like Moth, who befriends Darwen. I also loved that there was a magical shop with a mysterious shopkeeper, this is one of my favourite elements in fantasy!
I absolutely devoured this book. I was a bit daunted by the size at first but it actually reads pretty fast. This is the first of a trilogy but thankfully there is no big cliffhanger to worry about.
The gorgeous holographic cover and the contents pages immediately hint at a very magical book. The book is full of so many weird creatures, like Scrobblers, terrifying apelike giants on top of huge motorbikes, and Gnashers, monsters with no head but a horrible mouth in their chest and lots of shark-like teeth. Of course there are also lovely creatures like Moth, who befriends Darwen. I also loved that there was a magical shop with a mysterious shopkeeper, this is one of my favourite elements in fantasy!
I absolutely devoured this book. I was a bit daunted by the size at first but it actually reads pretty fast. This is the first of a trilogy but thankfully there is no big cliffhanger to worry about.
February 7, 2019
Good stuff! It was a page-turning, fast-paced story, probably most suitable for middle grade readers, but I really enjoyed it (old as I am!) It’s also here on Goodreads as Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact (or something similar) and arc reviews were unnecessarily picky, I thought. AJ Hartley has it spot on. Mine was an arc with this title, hence some missing illustrations and bits of tidying up to do, but seriously not much. Characterisation was good, maybe a bit archetypal, but Darwen himself is good - reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in the way he was thrust into not one, but two very different worlds than he was used to. Unlike HP, he was a bit more self-aware.
I liked the story itself, with the universal theme of love overcoming the evil in the world, but with a slightly different twist on it. I believe there’s more to come and I’d be happy to read them: recommended!
I liked the story itself, with the universal theme of love overcoming the evil in the world, but with a slightly different twist on it. I believe there’s more to come and I’d be happy to read them: recommended!
May 14, 2019
Un niño huérfano que descubre un mundo mágico al otro lado de los espejos con criaturas fantásticas, que hace pandilla con un chico y una chica y es "el elegido" para cumplir una misión... Qué pena que todo esto ya esté en historias que hemos leído mil veces, porque el libro es muy divertido y está bien estructurado. Hay que valorar que el autor incluya detalles que marcan la diferencia, como que el protagonista sea mestizo, el choque cultural y lingüístico entre él, inglés, y sus compañeros americanos y un personaje femenino muy carismático que rompe con los estereotipos (Alexandra).
Pero por desgracia no tiene la originalidad suficiente para atraparme del todo y se nota mucho que está concebida para ser la novela introductoria de una saga.
Pero por desgracia no tiene la originalidad suficiente para atraparme del todo y se nota mucho que está concebida para ser la novela introductoria de una saga.
January 7, 2022
Love this book, it's one of 3 and there the only books that I haven't had to read because of school. Because I've watched a lot of movies the way the characters are described I can mix ones from movies in my head and imagine what the or it looks like
I would say definitely read this
There's dispension keeping you wanting more
I would say definitely read this
There's dispension keeping you wanting more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2019
Great fast paced fantasy adventure. Main characters are quirky and fun, the school bullies typical but disappointed in lack of depth in the teachers, who also are mainly bullies. That was the only downside for me as I liked the other world, mirror shop and Mr Peregrin.
June 14, 2024
darwen is better than me cause alexandra would've been dead in a ditch somewhere before 50% if it were me lol
i dont think the book convinced me how much darwen loved the place beyond mirrors, and so i struggle to feel the stakes at hand.
i dont think the book convinced me how much darwen loved the place beyond mirrors, and so i struggle to feel the stakes at hand.
December 2, 2025
I felt like the whole story could have been 100 pages shorter. I read this because my 12 year really enjoyed it. It is probably great for kids, but as an adult there were too many open questions and plot lines that go nowhere interesting.
November 20, 2019
It was an original story about magic and adventures, but I didn't really like the writing style. It felt to formal for a kids book.
December 9, 2019
This was honestly brilliant. The friendship between the main three kids reminds me a little of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
September 25, 2021
Loved it from the first chapter I was hooked!
July 10, 2022
I enjoyed this story as it was filled with adventure and magical things!
January 1, 2021
In the first of a trilogy, we’re introduced to Darwen, who discovers he has the ability to travel to other worlds via mirrors, when he stumbles into a mysterious shop shortly after moving to America. I have to admit I found this pretty slow paced, but once I got further in, I found the plot really interesting and there were some twists as to who is putting the magical worlds into danger that I really enjoyed as well. I also liked the friendship between Darwen, Alexandra and Rick- watching it develop throughout the book was lovely. Mr Peregrine, who owns the Mirror shop, was my favourite side character, but Darwen’s Aunt Honoria was brilliant as well. There’s so much left I still want to discover about this world, and I’m sure I’ll catch up with the rest of the series at some point.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews