LoveReading4Kids Says
A brilliant debut thriller that is full of supernatural tension, exhilaration and mystery that combines elements of Jack the Ripper’s Darkside, a place of evil in the heart of modern London.
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2007.
Tom Becker is a real find. This is our Book of the Month for January, in fact a Joint Book of the Month, along with another debut we’re wild about – Star-crossed.
This is the first in the brilliant Darkside series that now includes Lifeblood and Nighttrap.
LoveReading4Kids
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Darkside Synopsis
Jonathan has stumbled on London’s greatest secret: Darkside, an incredibly dangerous and unimaginably exciting place, ruled by Jack the Ripper's children – a place where nightmares walk the streets. Meet Marianne the fluorescent haired bounty hunter, the ferocious Carnegie, part man and part wolf, and the evil vampire Vendetta who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Enter the strange and fantastical Beastilia Exotica, the jewel in Darkside’s crown – its sights will haunt you forever. Jonathan thought he was in trouble before, but it seems his problems have only just begun. Jonathan is running for his life and there's nowhere to hide.
Darkside is a supernatural suspense thriller with a dash of gothic horror, perfect for Darren Shan and Buffy fans. It has a fantastic spooky glow-in-the-dark cover – but will you really be brave enough to enter the world of Darkside at night?
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780439944366 |
| Publication date: |
8th January 2007 |
| Author: |
Tom Becker |
| Publisher: |
Scholastic |
| Format: |
Paperback |
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About Tom Becker
Tom Becker won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2007 at the age of twenty-five with his first novel, DARKSIDE. As well as further books in the DARKSIDE series, Tom has written several standalone YA horror novels, including DARK ROOM for the acclaimed Red Eye horror series from Stripes. Since Tom Becker learned to hold a pen, he wanted to become a writer. In fact, when he was 5 years old, he wrote in a notebook that it was his dream was to be an author. Aged 25, Tom has realised that dream with publication of his first novel, Darkside in January 2007.
Tom's early enthusiasm for books and reading was encouraged by his parents who were voracious readers. Their family home was cluttered with bookcases and piles of novels. Tom spent most of his childhood curled up in an armchair reading fantasy novels by Brian Jacques, and later graduated to grown-up novels by David Eddings and Guy Gavriel Kay.
Tom studied History at Oxford University and was struck by the otherworld-ly atmosphere of this academic institution. He used to spend long days studying and reading in the University library and always felt intrigued by the atmosphere there - perhaps that is why a library is such an important setting in Darkside.
Tom started writing Darkside in 2005, it took him three months to complete and he is now working on more books in the series. He drew inspiration from film noirs such as The Asphalt Jungle and The Big Sleep (hence the glasshouse scene in Darkside), and comicbook writers such as Alan Moore.
Aside from reading, Tom's big love in life is music. He is still reeling from the break-up of his two favourite bands, Rocket From the Crypt and Sleater-Kinney. Tom's other passions include supporting Everton Football Club and consisting on a diet of fry-ups and fish fingers. Tom lives in London.
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