The Dark Flight Down

Book of Dead Days #2

by Marcus Sedgwick

In the morning you should think
You might not last unto the night
In the evening you should think
You might not last unto the morn


Boy has survived the terrors of life with the magician Valerian, dark magic, and deadly chases, but he is still on the run. Now, as the City lies frozen, he is captured and incarcerated in the Emperor Frederick’s palace. Boy is transported to a world of splendor, and wealth beyond his wildest imagining. But beneath its golden veneer, this world is full of madness and cruelty, closely guarded secrets, and terrifying revelations.
In a mesmerizing conclusion to the enthralling story begun in The Book of Dead Days, Boy and Willow are plunged into the heart of it–the furies of the Emperor; the tricks of necromancers; a trail of blood that will lead to the grisly Phantom. Holding all their lives between its pages, The Book of Dead Days waits to deceive its next reader.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Fiction, Adventure, Magic, Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2004

About the author

Marcus Sedgwickwas a British writer and illustrator. He authored several young adult and children's books and picture books, a work of nonfiction and several novels for adults, and illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk tales for adults.

Reviews

[Zahra Dashti · Rating 3 out of 5]

بازگشت به خوانش کتاب‌های دوست‌داشتی گروه سنی نوجوان!
خوب حرف زیادی در مورد این مجموعه دو جلدی ندارم بزنم، جز این‌که رازآلود و کمی ترسناک هست(قطعا برای نوجوان کم سن و سال). زبان ساده و روان بود. کمی ایراد منطقی داشت، ولی قطعا برای گروه سنی خودش قابل چشم پوشی بود. ایده جالب بود، صحنه پردازی هم جذاب بود. در مجموع دوستش داشتم.

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this one to win me over, to improve upon the first book. Sadly, such a thing did not happen. If anything, I enjoyed the first book more – at least in that books there were moments where I considered giving it three stars.

This book continues on where the last one left off, continuing the story forward. However, it really doesn’t add much to the story. We’re given an answer as to who Boy actually is, an answer you can figure out simply by reading the prologue. Oh, don’t worry there are some other aspects to the story – but most are pushed aside as Boy circles his pit of self-pity in the search for who he truly is.

As with the first book, so little happens. I know it is a short book – yet that means, to me, the action should be throughout rather than limited to small occasions. Whilst there seemed to be fewer standstills than there were in book one, they still existed to lull the story into a near snooze pace.

It was an okay addition, a nice way to bring things to a close, yet at the same time it felt as though I could have done without reading it.

[Sarv · Rating 4 out of 5]

چقدر قشنگ و دوست داشتنی T-T

اعتراف میکنم فهمیدن اینکه ماجرا چیه انقدرام سخت نبود ولی تا آخر آخرش نتونستم حدس بزنم :|

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boy has a major case of TSTL.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to The Book of Dead Days.Boy has survived the terrors of life with the magician Valerian, dark magic and deadly chases, but he is still on the run. Now, as the City lies frozen in the icy claws of winter, he is captured and incarcerated in the Emperor Frederick's palace. Boy is transported to a world of gilded finery and splendor beyond his wildest imaging. But this world is full of madness and cruelty, closely guarded secrets and terrifying revelations. . . . There Boy and Willow must outwit the scheming of his courtiers evade the tricks of necromancers and finally, follow a trail of blood that will lead to the grisly Phantom. And reveal the mystery of Boy's birth and life.(book jacket)

I really like Sedgwick's writing; few authors surprise me with plot points and the combination of his quirky imagination, strong characters, dark-but not too dark development, and spot-on language and voice are nearly unique in YA lit.

[Gayatri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not as impressive as its prequel.

It was quite obvious that Boy was the heir to the throne from the beginning. The only plot twist I didn't predict was that Phantom was a human after all, being the other heir of the throne and Boy's brother.

It was a very quick read and despite the writing being as good as before, I couldn't help but feel that there could have been something more.

[Moo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've NEVER stopped reading a book half way through in my life, but this book............ Was a first. I HAD to stop reading it. I read multiple books at a time and when reading it and Shiver, well, it's over shadowed and I've stopped reading it. perhaps I bought a book to young for me. I don't know, I just didn't enjoy it.

[Sezin Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Beautifully written, love the characters of Boy and Willow, and there were some brilliant twists towards the end that were horrifying and awesome. Highly recommended.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would have been improved for me had I not unwittingly picked up the second book in a series and not realised it. The book is a dark story, suitable for Years 5-7, but it didn’t grip me like the later Sedgwick’s have.

[Livia Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Weak plot, poor character development, GMC needed improving... So disappointed. I'd hoped the sequel to The Book of Dead Days would redeem that book, but sadly no. It was just bland and poorly written.

[Doria · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very disappointing sequel to what seemed like a promising series.

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an entirely unenjoyable book, but...the love story, the Phantom, the silly Emperor -- all of it failed to convince me. Of anything. Also made me like the first book less. Ah, well.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are definitely some answers in ths book, although a lot of them come in a bit of a rush all crammed in before the end. There's quite a change of tone from the first book with the new settings and new characters coming into the story. Some details feel a bit slight in places, a bit rushed, and the end is definitely quite brief. It's an interesting story overall though, taken across the two books, and well told.

[Evalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the ending to this book but the beginning was really slow and kinda listless. I feel that instead of a second book, it should have been worked into the first for a better overall experience. This book just didn't really feel substantial enough on it's own, especially since The Book of Dead Days works rather well as a standalone.

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of dead days series is a really good one. Interesting, unique and different. It deserves better then the unjust low reviews. I don't know why people found it lacking. It wasn't. I've read it several times. The first book was my first experience of Marcus Sedgwick. I've read almost all his books. I plan to read everyone of them.

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Book of Dead Days, picking up right where the last book left off. Valerian's old adversary, Keplar, is now Boy's master, but Boy and Willow have made plans to escape and start a life of their own. Very quickly, however, Boy is kidnapped and imprisoned in the palace dungeons at a time when the "phantom" continues to stalk and kill his prey while terrifying the population. Maxim has been charged by his king to find a way to make the him immortal, since he has no heir. Maxim's evil plans include Boy and "The Book", but Boy has no idea of its whereabouts. Another secret about Boy's father is revealed at the end and Boy finds out about his name. It leaves room for a 3rd book in this series. It will be necessary to read The Book of Dead Days before attempting this one since much back-story is necessary to understand all the plots and characters. This fantasy is as creepy as the original. This series is great to listen to on tape as well! Teens in grades 6-9 will enjoy this.

[Vickiec192 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all good writing, I'd say that this, in my opinion, actually surpassed "The Book of Dead Days" which can be a lot of pressure to put on a sequel! It managed to keep the air of fragile loyalty but added a new layer of intrigue. This was packed with suspense, and one I read in a single sitting.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when I was about 5 chapters in to the first in the series. It did not disappoint and I am glad I got to see how everything plays out. I love the dark grittiness of this series. Sedgwick certainly knew how to spin a yarn and keep me wanting more. Truly a great, entertaining tale that is certainly worth the read. I wish there was a book three.

[Masoome · Rating 3 out of 5]

من کتاب های تخیلی رو زیاد دوست ندارم، برای همین ستاره های کمی بهش دادم، وگرنه کتاب خوبی بود و قطعا اگر کسی کتاب تخیلی ��وست داشته باشه از این کتاب خوشش میاد.
+ تخیلش در حد یک کتاب پیشگو، و حضور یک شبح توی داستانه

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book and given to my daughter to read. She loved it as the fear invoked kept her turning pages while safe and snug at home on the farm drinking cocoa in the depths of winter. A far cry from the setting

[beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked the ending, how it tied up most of the loose ends and gave willow and boy a happy ending. i do wonder about the phantom tho. like what’s happening to him ? i hope he owns a bakery or smth cool like that

[static ϟ · Rating 1 out of 5]

"boom boom" indeed.

this book bombed, it isn't surprising that it was disappointing. the continuation of Boy's journey was very underwhelming and there was no emotional investment for the love proclaimed at the end.

[Sharon Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed the story, especially nearer the end

[Kellie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read, exquisite detail.

Loved the characters, mystery behind the story. Loved the layout of the story in itself, and genuine feel of the detail.

[Finn Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, and a brilliant conclusion to the first book, which I also loved. The story is so gripping, and it is nice with Boy and Willow at the end 🙂

[ISA ABUROWAIS · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked the strange ending.
its hard to keep on reading the book in the beginning.
but I feel that ending worth it.

[Gary Meades · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable conclusion to the Book of Dead Days, with slightly less gothic gloominess, but a satisfying (if slightly predictable) ending .

[Adrienne Olszewska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loose ends all tied up after the first book. Could have been just one book really but still a fun read

[Ailu Tavacchi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me gustó pero hasta ahí no más. El principio se me hizo algo aburrido, luego comenzó a ponerse un poco interesante pero al final terminó siendo lo mismo que al principio y me aburrió. Es un libro el cual no me gustó mucho pero tampoco lo deteste.

[Cat Randle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh worthy sequel to The book of Dead Days. It's gothic I suppose but I love the arc of Boys' story. It's a common trop but told in that wonderful way Martin Sedwick has with words. There is only one other author who has this skill and its William Gidson, author of Neuromancer. It's poetry writ on a large stage. Willow, the city and Kepler are back. We find out why he is called Boy, and he's in as much danger as last time. He is trying to discover who his father truely is while trying to avoid the intriges of a dying empower and his empire. This is another forever book, but I think I'll have to let the pair of books go and buy them for my kindle. If you like fantasy, gothic, easy reads, deep worlds and rounded characters, this is the book for you. I waited a long time to read this book, I couldn't face reading it without its partner. It was so worth the wait. If you LOVE books and love reading well written books, read this one.