Dark Peak

by Marcus Sedgwick

We all went in together – not everyone made it out…

One long, hot summer, two children disappear on a school trip. One child is eventually found, but Porter is worried that no one is even looking for the other, Stephen, anymore. Why can no one remember who Stephen is? What happened on the school trip? And why does Porter get the feeling that supernatural forces from deep in the past are at play?
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From the Author's Website:

One long, hot summer, two children disappear on a school trip to the mysterious natural rock formation known as Lud’s Church, hidden deep in a forest in the Dark Peak.

Things really only becomes strange when one of the missing pair is found – Porter Fox is worried that no one is even looking for the other anymore. Why does no one seem to care that Stephen is missing? What happened in Lud’s Church? And why does Porter get the feeling that supernatural forces from deep in the past are at play?

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Middle Grade, Fantasy

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

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

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept. Packed a punch for a short book

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, tense thriller set in Derbyshire’s Peak District in an area called Lud’s Church. I know this area well and Sedgwick describes it brilliantly and accurately. A school trip goes wrong and a boy goes missing. Legends about The Green Knight, a ghostly White Girl, and hidden paths make this a mystical as well as spookily haunting. It’s a Barrington Stoke collaboration with OUP in their Super Readable Rollercoasters series that should get even then most reluctant of reluctant readers reading.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Peak tells the story of two children that go missing on a geography field trip to 'Dark Peak', a real place in the Peak District National Park. One of the children, Stephanie Best (the popular girl in school - you know the type - typically average in every way and yet everyone loves her and she's destined to be Head Girl) is found quickly, but Stephen Greene is still missing. The main character in the story, Porter Fox, decides to keep looking even though everyone else seems to have already forgotten about Stephen.

I enjoyed this short novella. It tackles lots of different themes; life changing incidents, the effects of trauma, why people act the way they do (towards others)... And also entwines with myth and ancient tales that have been steeped into English language and culture for centuries. Its a good introduction to some of these older stories to young readers (such as the King Arthur stories and Gawain and the Greene Knight), who may not have heard about them before, and hopefully will peke their interest to read more (with a handy reading list at the end).

My favourite thing about this book is the clever way this story is told suggests it could actually have happened, which is a nice twist on the myth and legend theme, as these tales could be true too.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atmospheric book, creepy and full of ancient myths. Although this is a short book for Barrington Stoke, the writing is top quality and it has all you’d expect from Marcus Sedgwick. A great way to draw reluctant readers in as well - highly recommended.

[Helen Swinyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely genius.

[L.C. Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't expect a link to Arthurian legends when I picked up this book. Delightful quick read with the perfect teen chills feeling.

[Laura Fowler-Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and chilling story, a folk tale mixed with a teen coming of age style short story. A good choice if you love Green man stories

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book I borrowed from the library today I have to say

[Grinney Pig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was an interesting build up but the ending did not explain much was a bit of a anticlimax.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Gawain and the Green Knight, so very excited to read this.
I was slightly confused by the ending, but it was exciting enough not to worry to much.

[Rachel Huskisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great page turner, one to recommend any reluctant readers or someone who wants a short but thrilling read.

[Joshua Radburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfect little intro to horror for younger readers. Loved the setting and touches of mythology.

[Libraryliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, atmospheric, and creepy little book about supernatural horrors with historic roots in medieval England.

[Cute Rabbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really creepy but I still enjoyed the book a bit.It was a quick read and I enjoyed it.👍🏾

[Mark Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting quick read packed with Sedgwick’s usual brilliant eye for detail. Great concept and tying in to Arthurian legend is exciting to read.

[BookBairn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This possibly wasn't the best fit for me in terms of the sort of book I would normally choose and overall I found myself with more questions than answers, which is maybe a good thing from a book, of course. The characters in this needed more developing and the mystery was a bit too mysterious.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me feel sad at the end. Like when the children can’t go back to Narnia anymore. I wanted to cry and I’m not sure why. Also - legit suspenseful and scary scene when Porter is running through the thunderstorm.