The Dark Hills Divide

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman was the last audio book I listened to on my recent road trip. It was read by Aasne Vigesaa.

More in my comfort zone, The Dark Hills Divide is a fantasy story set in the Land of Elyon, a land separated from the surrounding forests by high walls.

Our heroine Alexa is a twelve year old who, of course, is not content to accept the admonition to avoid knowledge of the outside (if she did accept it we wouldn't have a story now would we).

At the heart of the story  The Dark Hills Divide is a mystery. Alexa does not know whom she can trust, and she has a lot to learn along the way.

As a fantasy, there are magical and mythical components to the story. I would expect it is categorized as a middle grade story. The violence is not graphic, there is no sex, and no bad language. There is still evil, people get injured, and all is not as it seems.

If forced to identify a shortcoming (negative is too strong in this instance) I think the character of Alexa is a little too advanced/mature for the age she is presented as. She is able to converse on an adult level with too much ease for a twelve year old in my humble opinion, but that is minor to the overall story.

Of course as a middle grade fantasy/adventure, The Dark Hills Divide does carry a message or two, but I'll leave that discovery to you.

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman and read by Aasne Vigessa, is a good light middle grade read(or in my case listen).  A great story for younger readers. Enjoy!


Mike