Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon, #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Dark Hills Divide

(The Land of Elyon #1)

Patrick Carman (Goodreads Author)

3.73 · Rating details · 20,991 ratings · 965 reviews

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 that surround the city and the walled roads that link Bridewell to nearby towns; soon after town leader Thomas Warvold passes away, Alexa finds herself outside the walls, acquires a stone with remarkable powers, an ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, First Scholastic Edition, 272 pages

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

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Dark Hills Divide, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Best Teen/Pre-Teen Books

386 books — 344 voters

I read the first one and didn't feel compelled to finish the trilogy/series

880 books — 2,078 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.73 ·

Rating details

· 20,991 ratings · 965 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon, #1)

Feb 18, 2018 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: animal-power, historical-fantasy, middle-grade, pretty-green-cover, the-deep-places-of-the-world, the-woods, the-great-fantasy-road-trip, all-ages-admitted, beware-of-useless-adults, fantasy

The "Land of Elyon" in the series title is a small nation of fearful settlements, surrounded by a wall. Of the settlements, Bridewell is the closest to the Dark Hills outside the wall, which the settlers speculate are full of criminals and monsters. Precocious twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is the daughter of the mayor of another settlement. Every summer her father goes to Bridewell to consult with the other mayors, and she tags along to scrounge the library for information on the outside world.

Whe ...more

flag 36 likes · Like · see review

Nov 30, 2011 Ann rated it it was ok

Shelves: middle-grade, series, fantasy, animals

I wasn't able to read this book every day like I usually do with novels, so for a long time I attributed my lack of interest in it's characters, and my confusion regarding the plot, to the fact that I wasn't able to keep the flow. But the more I read the more confused I got (I was actually intrigued at the beginning) and the end left me scratching my head wondering what the point of the story was.

Like I said, the beginning was intriguing, governmental type meeting, a suspicious death, a riddle, I wasn't able to read this book every day like I usually do with novels, so for a long time I attributed my lack of interest in it's characters, and my confusion regarding the plot, to the fact that I wasn't able to keep the flow. But the more I read the more confused I got (I was actually intrigued at the beginning) and the end left me scratching my head wondering what the point of the story was.

Like I said, the beginning was intriguing, governmental type meeting, a suspicious death, a riddle, a walled city, and the world beyond that our twelve-year-old girl protagonist, Alexa, is very curious about. But honestly, the details of the plot are so hard for me to even summarize because I don't really know what all happened. I think the basic plot is that the walled city faces dangers from the outside, and Alexa must find out who the "spy" within the city is.

There are talking animals (a very entertaining squirrel included) who've been separated by the wall (quite sad, and again, Alexa must help), and there's a fantastic library, and of course, the enjoyment of trying to figure out who the spy is. But the problem is, it's no fun if the author never gives you any clues to figure it out for yourself (or try to, even if you ultimately want to be surprised -- unless I can connect the dots after the fact, the "ta-da" isn't very exciting. Instead of showing how a character is guilty or not, I felt more that the reader was told, without really explaining why.

Alexa has very little introspection that we're privy to, so it's more that Alexa feels so-and-so isn't the spy and thus we must accept it. *Why* did Alexa trust (or not) certain people? And even after Alexa figures something out, the author won't tell the reader but drags it out to the last possible second for the "wow" factor (I'm guessing) but by that point I've lost interest and feel, in a way, cheated. I want to see how Alexa arrives at her decisions, not just be told that she's decided.

I wanted to like this book... but sadly it felt more like a chore to read. At least for me. I see the book has mixed reviews, so I'll have to read some of the more favorable ones to see what others found more enjoyable. Obviously the book resonates with some since this is part of a series. ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Apr 18, 2015 Shantelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015, fantasy, on-my-bookshelf, reviewed, christian-fiction, children-to-teen, five-star

What a delightful and charming tale! I can hardly believe I've been missing out on this splendid, little series all this time!

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman brings us into the intriguing Land of Elyon, where we meet sweet Alexa Daley, who is quite smart and courageous. She's been trying for quite a while to learn of what lies beyond the walls that at times seem to imprison her. Meanwhile, her father and his fellow advisers and friends try to keep her out of trouble. But upon old Warvold What a delightful and charming tale! I can hardly believe I've been missing out on this splendid, little series all this time!

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman brings us into the intriguing Land of Elyon, where we meet sweet Alexa Daley, who is quite smart and courageous. She's been trying for quite a while to learn of what lies beyond the walls that at times seem to imprison her. Meanwhile, her father and his fellow advisers and friends try to keep her out of trouble. But upon old Warvold's sudden death, a chance is opened up to Alexa to explore deep mysteries and dark places. What will she discover? Does danger await her?

I think only two of my friends on Goodreads, (that I've noticed), have read this book. They had nothing but good to say about it; and after surveying the intriguing and utterly charming cover, I had to add this book to my to-read list. Just in case. Recently, I scrolled through my TR list, looking for a book to read next ... and decided to try out The Dark Hills Divide. Am I ever glad I did! *smiles*
It's a short-ish, small book, perhaps geared toward a bit younger audience than myself, but nevermind! *grins* It has the potential to please many. I am thinking of recommending this book to my eleven-year-old brother, and twelve-year-old sister. I think my fourteen-year-old sister would enjoy it as well. And I loved it! I'm so excited to read the next stories in the series! It's just one of those timeless tales that for some reason or another absolutely enthralls you. Like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Adventure. Brave children. Mystery. Fun. Sweetness. Magic. It a story that thrills the soul and tells one there's more to life than just purposeless, day-to-day, "going through the motions". There's meaning and lost magic, but you must go on an adventure to find it! **I hate using the word magic, because it can mean such a wide variety of things. But in this case, it all felt like Narnia "magic". Not really magic, just a world of things and possibilities you didn't think existed.**

It seems there could be some allegories going on here. Perhaps a Christian-allegory? I'm not sure. But it altogether quite simply a beautiful, though at times harsh, story. The epilogue promised much more to come, more mystery, and more discovery! I'm excited to continue this journey! ^_^

The Dark Hills Divide was written in first person, but had a little different feel than most books like that. It was more of a old-ish feel. Deep. A little slow at points; but all in all, very delicious! *grins* I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right ... but if everything turns out nicely in this series, I would absolutely adore to see it on my bookshelf!! It has a classical feel and a heart-warming story that just makes you want to give it a squeeze and recommend to fellow book-lovers!
Once again, very akin to Narnia. A lot of the feelings I got from reading this tale were kind of the same feelings I get from watching The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Classic!

There were a few scary or slightly violent moments. But not much at all. When you look at the cover, you might expect a darker tale, but it didn't turn out to be quite like that. It had a solemn tone at times, but a lot of fun and intrigue involved as well. That being said, there is one scene toward the end that might frighten younger readers ... so caution.

The animals. I'm not sure how much I should say ... trying to avoid being spoiler-ish ... but they were so much fun. *grins*

Ah. What else can I say? I enjoyed it thoroughly! I'm looking forward to reading more! I'm captivated! *huggles book* Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, you definitely must give The Dark Hills Divide a try. Also, those who like adventure and intriguing worlds beyond the normal, you'll probably love this tale! ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Sep 10, 2008 Kogiopsis rated it it was ok

Shelves: needed-more-editor, childhood-nostalgia, reviewed, there-s-religion-in-my-fantasy

So, my relationship with this book is weird. I was in fourth grade when it first came out, living in the same town as Patrick Carman, and in that small community it was a big deal to have a local author, especially when he got picked up by Scholastic. My teacher actually read this book aloud to the class - though I think it was actually the independent edition, in which Chapter 18 includes a bizarre detour into the world of dentistry. (You think I'm kidding? I still own that book, and I checked, So, my relationship with this book is weird. I was in fourth grade when it first came out, living in the same town as Patrick Carman, and in that small community it was a big deal to have a local author, especially when he got picked up by Scholastic. My teacher actually read this book aloud to the class - though I think it was actually the independent edition, in which Chapter 18 includes a bizarre detour into the world of dentistry. (You think I'm kidding? I still own that book, and I checked, just to make sure my memory wasn't malfunctioning.)

Anyhow - I've got a signed indie printing copy, a signed poster, and the first three books in Scholastic hardback, and I found out as I prepared to write this review that Carman and I also share an alma mater - but I'm not in fourth grade anymore, and this book didn't stand up to the test of time even with such a heavy nostalgia factor/personal connection.

A grain of salt: as Carman mentions in the afterword to this volume, the story was originally created to entertain his two young daughters, so a certain degree of absurdity or lack of coherence is understandable... or it was, until he got picked up by a Big 6 publisher.

I think that's the thing that it all comes down to, in the end. Independently published, this book would be a solid entry on the low end of middle-grade age ranges, with an adventurous young heroine who (I can vouch from personal experience) young girls can get behind. But as a book from a major house, there are just... too many weaknesses. For one, the connection between the Land of Elyon and the world we know is vague*, but clearly there - one of the characters is named after a Hindu god. For another, the plot essentially relies on a whole lot of Idiot Ball-passing happening for years before the book takes place, as characters apparently knew who the Big Bad was, but did nothing to hinder his plans, and other characters ignored the warnings of those who had it all figured out. It's a tidy set-up for Alexa to come in and save the day, but it's not very plausible.

There are, however, some really neatly done aspects. In particular, the conclusion has a bittersweet tinge to it, as characters make choices/sacrifices that force them to grow beyond safe, understandable worlds. There's a sense of... the regret and the wonder that come with leaving childhood behind, and in that way you can really see the impact of Carman's original audience on the way the story was crafted, in the best possible way.

Two-star rating aside, I do think this is a book I would recommend to kids. It doesn't meet my standards as an adult reader, but it also doesn't bother me (even on a religious front - I'm an atheist and the book has some overtones of Christian allegory - nothing is pervasive enough to be a problem), and at the end of the day it's a fun adventure story that I know full well kids will enjoy.

(*This may well be addressed in one of the later books in the series; I've never read past 3, which is actually the reason for rereading now.) ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

May 30, 2020 Amy Layton rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-lit, fantasy

I read this series when I was much younger and thought that I may as well give it another go! Usually with series--especially fantasy series--there's a scene or two that really sticks out to me and makes me want to reread it, to see if it still holds up. The scene I remembered was the imprisonment Pervis, the city's chief of police--he's frequently drunk, and upon his imprisonment he has a nasty hangover involving a bucket and a couple pauses to vomit. As a kid who hated vomit more than anyth ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2013 Jerome rated it liked it

Alexa is apparently the ONLY child in existence, not to mention the only FEMALE in existence, given that her mother is on the periphery, only communicating through a letter, and that Renny is dead. Even Odessa, Darius' wife, has no speaking part. Alexa lives in a bizarre community of middle-aged men which is a just plain weird. Where are all the other children? I thought this was a kids book?

Alexa is, especially in the first half, far too passive a character. She is told what to do by adults or ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2008 Kit rated it did not like it

I was hoping that this would be a series I could recommend to voracious middle-grade fantasy readers, but no such luck. There are the seeds of a good story here, with at least one good character and the possibility of a suspenseful plot. As it stands, though, they are overwhelmed by vast info-dump and the feeling that it doesn't matter if anything the characters do is something a real, sane person would do - if the author needs it to happen, it's going to happen regardless of how many WTFs it in ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Despair Speaking rated it it was amazing

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

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2013 Stargazer R. L. rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Adventure loving girls of about twelve

Shelves: favorites, high-fantasy, happy-ending, 100-favorites, 2012-reads, 2013-reads, full-medieval-fantasy, 2014-reads, christian, action-lots-of-it

This book is:
-My childhood
-An intriguing adventure
-Really fun to read or listen to
-Quietly suspenseful
-A unique story which I challenge any girl between 10 and 14 to dislike. I just don't think it's gonna happen.

Things I love about it:
-The unique world with its dusty roads, cool streams, forests, hot summer sun, and its medieval feel but with spyglasses and a dash of gunpowder
-The talking animals
-The library with it's rows and rows of shelves and the cozy nook by the window
-All the food
-The exci ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2013 Deborah O'Carroll rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, ya, own, faves, medieval-fantasy, rereads, 5-stars-awesome, top-favorites-to-sort, 2017-reads

Re-read January 2017

The Bridewell library though. <3

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 02, 2012 ☆☆Hannah☆☆ rated it liked it

I had read this book for the first time exactly 7 years ago. I still like it but now that I'm older it wasn't as good. I know that my tastes have changed. However, it was a very quick and enjoyable read. Alexa is here with her father. He is a leader of this town and is here for some meetings. Pervis is a real jerk and tries to make this hard for her while she is here. Her father ends up having to go somewhere else and that's when the story gets really interesting. We have to now figure out who w ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2018 Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) rated it really liked it

4.25

Squirrels and Wolves and Bears, oh my.

What an enjoyable book! Lite kid's fantasy.

12 year old heroine? Check
Lovable animals? Check
Questionable adults? Check
Adventure sans adults? Check

Heroine saving the day? Nope sorry you have to read to find out. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2018 Dimitra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-buddies

I still remember the moment I saw this book...
The cover caught my attention and felt like a great story to read. To be honest, I got all first three books at a book bazaar, just because of the cover!
Now, I've read the first book and I am beyond happy for my choice!!!
It's a bit middle-grade-ish but still, a great adventure of a little girl who never stops dreaming and living her life no matter what! She is an amazing character! Even though the book is written by a male author, the main character ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2008 Bix rated it really liked it

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

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2012 D.M. Dutcher rated it it was ok

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

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2019 Shivantika rated it it was ok

I didn't understand what was going on most of the time, but I gave it two stars for the interesting chess match, and Alexa wasn't that bad of a character. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 25, 2017 Jessie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I’ve wanted to read this book since I first came upon it, however I didn’t feel the story lived up to the beautiful cover.

The main character is Alexa, who at 12 years old stands a little over 4 feet tall and longs to discover what is beyond the walls surrounding her town. Using clues left behind for her, Alexa discovers tunnels into the wilderness and befriends animals who reveal a plot to destroy her home.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that it was an information overload, withou ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 07, 2017 Rebecca Carvalho rated it did not like it

I don't even know where to begin... I didn't like the book. I actually gave up on finishing it a few times, but I'd read so much of it already that it didn't feel right to just abandon the story. I picked it up again last week, and today I finally finished it.

You know, I'm actually a little disappointed, because Patrick Carman's writing (when it comes down to describing nature and architecture) is really good and vivid, but the plot and character development were a huge mess.

Some of the reasons I don't even know where to begin... I didn't like the book. I actually gave up on finishing it a few times, but I'd read so much of it already that it didn't feel right to just abandon the story. I picked it up again last week, and today I finally finished it.

You know, I'm actually a little disappointed, because Patrick Carman's writing (when it comes down to describing nature and architecture) is really good and vivid, but the plot and character development were a huge mess.

Some of the reasons why I'm giving the book one star.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**

1) Alexa (the MC) doesn't sound her age. She's supposed to be twelve, but throughout the whole book she sounded like a middle-aged man to me. Some kids can be very formal, true, but Alexa at times just didn't sound like a real person at all. She was a character in a book. And I hate it when I read a book and see only words, as opposed to a person coming through the narrative. Think of Harry Potter, for example. As a kid (and still as an adult) I could almost believe he was a real wizard boy out there in the world. Alexa to me felt like nothing more than ink on paper.

2) The women are gone. Where are the women in this book? Her mother is nothing more than a stilted voice in a letter. Warvold's wife is dead. The only woman we see is a cook who shows up holding a sauce pan. The scenes where Alexa admires the men in her life (her father and his co-workers) were cheesy and made her sound, again, like a middle-aged man. She watches them smoke and discuss politics. I could almost hear Rose (Titanic) saying: "Now they will retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe." Alexa reminded me of something my grandfather told me once. He said that when he was a little boy he wore shorts and wanted to wear pants one day. Alexa admires these men's meetings, and there's always a hint in the narrative that one day she'll be one of them.

3) The villainous character is a grown man called Pervis who picks on a little girl. Alexa mentioned in the book once that she was afraid he'd come into her room in the middle of the night to go through her things. Pervis once asked her whether she ever had kissed a boy before. SERIOUSLY?! I cringed every time I read their interactions, because I got the feeling the author didn't mean to make Pervis sound like a pervert, which then made me think that either the author doesn't understand what it means to write from a girl's perspective, or perhaps Alexa just wasn't a girl at all, she was a middle-aged man in disguise.

4) There's a character with dwarfism in the story. He's called Yipes after a mythical creature. When he first appears in the story, he was described in such a manner that made me think at first that he was a gnome or a leprechaun. My jaw dropped when I realized he was a man. He's picked up and hugged and swirled around many times like an animal. I was appalled, and, yet again I don't think the author realized how offensive it all sounded, even though Yipes was one of Alexa's friends.

5) The way the author described the "convicts" was dehumanizing in SO MANY WAYS. They're called stupid, vile, lazy, and whatnot. They were branded, forced into hard labor to build a stupid WALL, and then they're sent back to a crowded prison, and then they're released into the wild, and then they live and die underground, and all they want is a chance to get in the walled city to live normal lives--instead, they're beaten (the MC, in fact, inflicts pain on a couple), and traded like cattle between cities, and in the end the few who survived are "rehabilitated". UGHHHHHHHHHH! I was rooting for them. They lost terribly.

My list just goes on an on. I know some people like this book, but it offered me such a disheartening experience that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 11, 2012 Veronica rated it it was amazing

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 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. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2013 Arwen rated it it was amazing

I'm going to group my thoughts on this trilogy into one entry. Wow! What an introduction to Patrick Carman. This series is fantastic. A fantasy story about a young girl (I know, I know some of you signed just then because every other YA fantasy story is a about a young girl who finds herself with some special power to save her world.) And yes this one is starts out just the same. Alexa Daley is given a special stone and thrust into a world she doesn't know beyond the safe walls of her city with ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 18, 2010 Amalia rated it it was amazing

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

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2009 Sierrah O rated it it was ok

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

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2014 Joey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-library

Perfect little fantasy adventure. Plus it has a talking squirrel. Easy 5 star.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2017 Liana rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade, high-fantasy, childrens

This was an odd little book... But charming nonetheless. It didn't always make sense, but gee... There's something magical about the world that pulls me in! ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2020 Erica rated it it was ok

This was another one that I read for a book club I'm in. I wanted to like it, because fantasy is one of my favorites and I usually find middle-grade books really fun and charming. However, it was so hard to read. It never pulled me in and the writing felt really... amateur? I just never found myself compelled to pick up the book and see what happened next.

Another issue I had with this book was that the character jumped to so many conclusions and I always felt one step behind. There were a couple ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 21, 2019 Twyla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: auryn-read-in-2019

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

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2018 Erica Locke rated it liked it

This book was just okay, in my opinion. I'm not saying that the story is bad or anything. I just really didn't connect to the characters or anything. So, I won't be continuing the series. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2020 The Bibliophagist rated it liked it

Shelves: meh, pretty-covers, physically-own, read-in-2020

This is the first book I've read out loud from cover to cover (to my sister who has never read the book). Even though I enjoyed it more when I was younger, it was still a nostalgic and fun read. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 09, 2009 Jess rated it it was ok

Recommended to Jess by: 6th grade girl

Shelves: z_09, middle-grade, fantasy

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

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2008 Janeen-san rated it it was amazing

Alexa is a 12-year-old girl, who lives in the walled sea-side city of Lathubury. Alexa and her father are traveling on their annul trip from Lathbury to Bridewell. Bridwell is the "spoke of the wheel"; three other cities branch out from it, and all of them are surrounded by 48-feet high stone walls, which the legendary traveler Warvold built, long ago in his youth, to protect those he loved from the terrors of the wild.

The real story--and danger--begins with the sudden death of Warvold, setting ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA/Children's Fantasy. A girl who finds another world through this door at her Uncle or some family member's house in their library; two Siamese cats with stones on their collars. [s]	9	1010	Nov 26, 2020 11:43AM
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Book I read years ago, series. Cover: a girl with hair braided to the side. Main character is a girl, her father is an important character. [s]	8	100	May 23, 2020 01:34PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Land Of Elyon Series by Patrick Carman - Reading from 'Land Of Elyon (Dark Hills Divide #1)' from September 1st, 2019	81	18	Sep 29, 2019 08:10PM
Mrs. Anderson's E...: The Dark Hills Divide	1	3	Mar 10, 2016 08:42PM
Should there be a movie of this book?	2	11	May 01, 2015 11:20PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

864 users

Young Adult

169 users

Fiction

154 users

Childrens > Middle Grade

132 users

Childrens

127 users

Adventure

94 users

Fantasy > Magic

58 users

Mystery

46 users

Childrens > Juvenile

31 users

Animals

29 users

See top shelves…

About Patrick Carman

Patrick Carman

1,506 followers

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

Other books in the series

The Land of Elyon (5 books)

Books by Patrick Carman

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

More…

Great Books to Give the Kids This Holiday!

Tami Charles is a former teacher and the author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. As a teacher, she made...

Trivia About The Dark Hills Di...

3 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from The Dark Hills Di...

“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.” — 55 likes

“The size of your body is just right. The only question is whether you're big enough inside.” — 45 likes

More quotes…

See a Problem?

Preview — The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

The Dark Hills Divide

(The Land of Elyon #1)

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Patrick Carman

Other books in the series

Books by Patrick Carman

Related Articles

Trivia About The Dark Hills Di...

Quotes from The Dark Hills Di...