SOLVED. Book about boy who wakes up in a strange/dream world and has to save his sister who is sick? [s]

[Esemel]

I read this book about 2-3 years ago. It wasn't part of a series, and the title was something about "Dark Magic" though I can't remember it exactly, or who the author is. But i'm pretty sure the author is British (or Kiwi or Australian) since I read the book while I was in New Zealand. I've tried searching for the book with the key words "dark magic" but there are so many books that have that in their title I can't seem to find it anywhere!
Once again, the book is about a young boy who has an even younger sister who is dying of some sort of sickness, and he wakes up in some strange sort of dream world that's pretty dark and crumbling and there's bad guys all over and he has to journey through this world and accomplish something (I can't remember what) in order to save his sister's life for when he wakes up to reality. That's all I remember, please help!!!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Was this book Children's (either picture or chapter) YA, NA or adult? Was it new, newish, older or old when you read it? Do you remember anything about the cover? Did the boy succeed in saving his sister? Can you remember any of the things he had to do while trying to accomplish his goal--ex. pulled weeds around a plant, watered a pot of flowers, had a pillow fight that resulted in a snow storm. . .

[Michele]

Hm. Not an exact match (it's two brothers, not a brother and sister), but perhaps The Brothers Lionheart

[Esemel]

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Was this book Children's (either picture or chapter) YA, NA or adult? Was it new, newish, older or old when you read it? Do you remember anything about the cover? Did the boy succeed in saving his ..."

Yeah this book was a chapter book, no pictures (but it did have vivid imagery). It was either an older children's book or a young adult one. The brother did end up saving his sister, I can't remember the sorts of things he had to accomplish but I vaguely remember a court scene and strange creatures.

[Esemel]

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Was this book Children's (either picture or chapter) YA, NA or adult? Was it new, newish, older or old when you read it? Do you remember anything about the cover? Did the boy succeed in saving his ..."

Oh, and the cover was a dark background with red or orange colours layered over it (there may have been illustrations in these colours but I can't remember)

[Esemel]

Michele wrote: "Hm. Not an exact match (it's two brothers, not a brother and sister), but perhaps The Brothers Lionheart"

Thanks! I don't think it's the book i'm looking for, but i always love reading new books so I'll check that one out, thank you again!:)

[Michele]

Do you remember where the story was set -- U.S., England, Canada, etc.? When you say "a court scene" do you mean like a royal court with fancy clothes, or a law court with someone on trial?

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

Maybe The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, although it is his baby half-brother who is sick. It's a really good story anyway.

[[deleted user]]

I think it's Catherine Fisher's Darkhenge.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Esemel, was your book "Darkhenge" or "The Book of Lost Things," as suggested? Or are you still looking?

[Esemel]

Polly wrote: "I think it's Catherine Fisher's Darkhenge."

Yes this is it thank you so much!

[Esemel]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Esemel, was your book "Darkhenge" or "The Book of Lost Things," as suggested? Or are you still looking?"

Yes in fact i was still hoping to find out the name of this book, and this is it, thanks so much!

[Esemel]

Isabel (kittiwake) wrote: "Maybe The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, although it is his baby half-brother who is sick. It's a really good story anyway."

This isn't the book, but thanks so much anyways, i will definitely give it a read!

[Esemel]

Michele wrote: "Do you remember where the story was set -- U.S., England, Canada, etc.? When you say "a court scene" do you mean like a royal court with fancy clothes, or a law court with someone on trial?"

I can't remember what kind of court it was, but two other commentators figured it out, thanks anyways though!