Knights of the Borrowed Dark

June 6, 2016
An Irish orphan discovers his long-lost family, hidden powers, and secret destiny in this trilogy opener, which pokes gentle fun at (and embraces) tropes common to books of its kind. Upon turning 13, Denizen Hardwick is liberated from a dismal orphanage and brought to live with his formidable aunt Vivian, the leader of a small cadre of warriors who protect the world against otherworldly monsters. Discovering that he, too, can channel the power of the Tenebrae to perform magical feats (though at a physical cost, with the user’s body slowly turning to iron), Denizen strives to join the Knights of the Borrowed Dark, in part to learn more about his family history. This coincides with a major crisis, putting Denizen through a terrifying trial by fire. Even referencing the ubiquity of the story’s elements (“every time someone came to visit,” Denizen’s fellow well-read orphans “began packing their bags, ready for their new life as wizard, warrior, or prophesied king”) doesn’t stop it from being predictable. Where Rudden succeeds, in this solid debut, is with his engaging characters, fast-paced plot, and clever language. Ages 10–up. Agent: Clare Wallace, Darley Anderson.

June 1, 2016
A teenage orphan living in misery suddenly discovers his magical gifts while being thrust into an epic battle between good and evil...sound familiar?In lonely Crosscaper Orphanage, the westernmost building in Ireland, 13-year-old Denizen Hardwick retreats into a world of fantasy books, believing that he is thoroughly unremarkable. Summoned by a mysterious aunt, the white lad quickly discovers an ancient war being waged by Knights against nefarious shadow creatures from another world, a war humans must not know exists. Denizen is given a choice: join his aunt's order of Knights or return to life at the orphanage. The seams of the timeless ordinary-turned-extraordinary-schoolboy narrative poke through in Rudden's debut, which alternates perspectives between chosen-one Denizen and his best friend, trapped in the orphanage as the shadow creatures lay siege. The best fantasy gradually constructs the rules of its magical world for the protagonists, but Rudden's readers barely have time to bond with "ordinary" Denizen before he is off on adventures. As a result, he and the Knights never achieve the three-dimensionality necessary for readers to emotionally invest. While the book's use of magic, which takes a physical toll on the body of the wielder, is one of its finer elements, ungainly metaphors occasionally distract from the narrative. The intriguing premise is undercut by hasty worldbuilding but shows promise nonetheless; perhaps the kinks will be worked out in Volume 2. (Fantasy. 10-15)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-Set in Ireland, this story has all the components needed to keep readers engaged-mystery, fantasy, a creepy orphanage, knights, monsters, mysterious creatures, and the battle between good and evil. Denizen Hardwick is an orphan with no family, no past, and little prospects for his future. Everything changes the night that he discovers he has a long-lost aunt. He's whisked away into a secret society where he soon learns that he has special powers and a connection to the Knights who fight against the shadow monsters. Though the tropes will be familiar to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, Rudden's world-building, nonstop action, and strong characters make this a memorable and well-developed trilogy starter. VERDICT With an intriguing mix of mystery, horror, fantasy, and adventure, this is sure to find an eager readership.-Valentine Muyumba, Indiana State University

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.