Dark Lord of Derkholm

Derkholm Series, Book 1

By: Diana Wynne Jones

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Mr. Chesney operates Pilgrim Parties, a tour group that takes paying participants into an outer realm where the inhabitants play frightening and foreboding roles. The time has come to end the staged madness...but can it really be stopped?

Master storyteller Diana Wynne Jones serves up twists and turns, introduces Querida, Derk, Blade, and Shona and a remarkable cast of wizards, soldiers, kings, dragons, and griffins, and mixes in a lively dash of humor. With all the ingredients of high fantasy, this unforgettable novel will delight fans old and new.

©1998 Diana Wynne Jones (P)2018 Tantor

fantastic... mostly.

DWJ was one of my favorite authors when I was younger, and this book is a huge part of the reason why. I loved the driving plot, the big reveal near the end, etc. as an adult, I love the chapter where everything becomes too much and a character just sits down for... weeks? bc trauma.

I'm less thrilled about the narrator, and how he puts an emphasis on squawking the gryphons' lines, rather than showing any kind of emotion for them-- which really does them a disservice.

on the book itself, I'm also not so keen on .. spoilers beyond this point.

okay so. not so thrilled with how everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow, rapidfire, in a single scene. it feels too convenient. this is a hallmark of DWJ's books if I recall, and I think I loved the salvo of things coming together as a kid, but now it just doesn't sit right.

so good! Wish there were more DWJ books on amazon!

great story, wish the sequel was on amazon too! would also love to see Dogsbody on audible! Wonderful narration.

Excellent Read

This has been a favorite book of mine for decades since I was a small child. The characters are fun, world building fantastic. Hits a bit harder as an adult, though.

The reading brings the story to life in a very satisfying way.

Unique and engaging

Loved the characters and story, family interactions were some of the best parts. Lighthearted but serious at times. The narrator was fantastic - the type who makes the story better

Storyline puns were the most fun.

The plot line weaves through a myriad of characters to resolve a seamless idea of individual responsibility to self and community.