Book Review: Darkhenge

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Darkhenge     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Catherine Fisher
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Young Adult
Eos, Mar 2006, $15.99

In Avebury, England, following a riding mishap, Chloe is hospitalized in a comatose state. Her parents are distraught visiting her frequently and forcing her older brother Rob see her at least once a week. Rob cares for his sibling and prays for her recovery, but is uneasy with the visits and unhappy with his parents’ demands. He needs to escape so using his art talent he obtains work with Dr Kavanagh at ahighly secretive archeological dig of a prehistoric wooden circle, the media blitz would be catastrophic.

Not long after starting his new job, Rob meets the shape-shifting Druid, Vetch who claims to have been alive when the wooden circle he calls DARKHENGE was created. He also tells the teen that his sister in incarcerated in another realm, the Unworld, where she also has a chance to become a queen. Vetch will provide Rob the key to enter and leave Unworld with his sister if the lad assists him with gaining entrance into the highly secured dig.

DARKHENGE is a fantastic young adult fantasy that older fans will fully appreciate as much as the Potter crowd will enjoy the tale. Though Chloe is the key character, Rob holds the exciting story line together as he must make some difficult decisions starting with whether he should trust Vetch by breaking his employment vow and never slowing down unto the final confrontation that will shock the audience. Catherine Fisher provides a fabulous coming of age fantasy starring a wonderful hero.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner