Rise of the Darklings

Rise of the Darklings
by Paul Crilley
Egmont USA, 2010. 333 pgs. Fiction.

Rise of the Darklings is the first book in the new The Invisible Order series. Emily Snow and her little brother William are orphans trying to survive on the streets of Victorian London. Everything in their lives changes the day Emily accidentally stumbles upon an injured piskie named Corrigan who demands that she help him. She and William quickly find themselves drawn into a three way war between the Seelie Court, the Unseelie Court, and The Invisible Order (a human group that fights against faeries). Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? Emily isn’t so sure anymore. Unfortunately, the fate of the world just might hang in the balance if she doesn’t figure it out fast!

This book is packed to the brim with action, and filled with a colorful cast of characters that will draw you in to the story right from the start. Emily is a bit of a spit-fire, and her would-be best friend, Jack the thief, is the perfect partner for her as the two of them run around trying to keep ahead of pretty much everyone else. The faeries in this book are more like monsters than like Tinker Bell and can be a little frightening at times—but that’s what makes the story so exciting! Kids who liked Fablehaven will love this new series. Now, if only I can hold on long enough for the next book to be written so I can finally find out what happens next!