Much to my mother's delight I scooped up The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones at the library last week. It's another one that she has recommended to me that I've just never read - until now that is. Despite the title and rather foreboding cover the book is a great comedic fantasy with plenty of humor as well as some very touching and suspenseful exchanges. In some ways it reminded me of Magic Kingdom for Sale - Sold by Terry Brooks but in premise only. Also, I liked Dark Lord better. Diana Wynne Jones has been a force in writing since 1970 and while I have not read her other stories I have known her name for years. It probably about time I did read one. I was not disappointed.
Plot: Every year Chesney Pilgrim Parties allows hundreds of people to experience what it's like to go an a classic fantasy adventure. Complete with wizard guide, attacks by bandits and evil spirits, large battles between the forces of good and evil, and the opportunity to vanquish the evil Dark Lord. Unfortunately, Mr. Chesney has enslaved another world to provide these tours. "Pilgrims" travel through a portal to the world, spend six weeks tramping around the country side through people's crops and sacking cities. Crops that these people need to survive. Cities where actual people live. And the rulers and leaders of this world have to arrange everything to Mr. Chesney's requirements or face the wrath of a horrible demon. Needless to say, they are no happy about this, but don't see any choice but to obey. But this year, many have decided to take a stand. They choose Derk, a quite nature loving wizard to play the part of Dark Lord. Derk would rather create a new animal, or simply enjoy his family of humans and griffins. Now he's been thrown into being the Dark Lord and his son, Blade, is supposed to lead the last of the pilgrims on their quest. Derk is not really cut out to be the Dark Lord, but things get even worse as it become clear that there are more plans the just Mr. Chesney's. Not to mention that everyone is getting gypped.
Personal favorites: I loved Derk and his family. You just had to feel sorry for the guy and then when you found out what was happening you had even more sympathy for him. The geese were great too. Scott Westerfeld on Twitter once remarked, "Geese... are just leftover velociraptors, and they know it." and Derk's geese only go to prove it. The plot was well paced and exciting. It had both great comedy (like the geese) as well as great emotional highs and lows. Mr. Chesney was an excellent villain just as Derk turned out to be a great hero despite himself. I could get behind Derk as a father and I was glad to see what could be referred to as a fairly normal family. It was a great book and I'm glad that I read it.
Considerations: Like most fantasy books this had battles and death, but they were never the focus and there were no graphic descriptions of violence. The Dark Lord's "army" was made up of violent criminals brought in by Mr. Chesney and they are well and truly criminal, but again, there are no descriptions. The magic in the book is never explained and seems to work as necessary. It may seem "too convenient" to some, but the magic really isn't important, so it doesn't get in the way of the story. I would have no problems in letting my children read this book as they get old enough to understand it.
The book was delight. I laughed and I was sobered. I cheered at the heroes and jeered at the villains. My reactions sound like a classic melodrama, and in some ways you can see this book as such, but not that simple. It was fun to read and I was excited to see how it would end. The total length was 518 pages.
Personal favorites: I loved Derk and his family. You just had to feel sorry for the guy and then when you found out what was happening you had even more sympathy for him. The geese were great too. Scott Westerfeld on Twitter once remarked, "Geese... are just leftover velociraptors, and they know it." and Derk's geese only go to prove it. The plot was well paced and exciting. It had both great comedy (like the geese) as well as great emotional highs and lows. Mr. Chesney was an excellent villain just as Derk turned out to be a great hero despite himself. I could get behind Derk as a father and I was glad to see what could be referred to as a fairly normal family. It was a great book and I'm glad that I read it.
Considerations: Like most fantasy books this had battles and death, but they were never the focus and there were no graphic descriptions of violence. The Dark Lord's "army" was made up of violent criminals brought in by Mr. Chesney and they are well and truly criminal, but again, there are no descriptions. The magic in the book is never explained and seems to work as necessary. It may seem "too convenient" to some, but the magic really isn't important, so it doesn't get in the way of the story. I would have no problems in letting my children read this book as they get old enough to understand it.
The book was delight. I laughed and I was sobered. I cheered at the heroes and jeered at the villains. My reactions sound like a classic melodrama, and in some ways you can see this book as such, but not that simple. It was fun to read and I was excited to see how it would end. The total length was 518 pages.
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