Title: Darkwing
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Reviewer: Keenan Torres (age 14)
Summary: A young chiropter (bat-like gliding creature) in prehistoric times deals with his differences, death, and migration.
Response: Kenneth Oppel created an absolute masterpiece with his “bat series” of Silverwing, Sunwing, and Firewing. Each book left me stunned and speechless. When I first caught a glimpse of Darkwing at a bookstore, I became very excited. I assumed it to be a fourth book in the series. When I picked it up, however, I realized that it was not actually connected to the series, but a story of how bats began. Yet again, I thought that another author had written a cheap unnecessary prequel. I set it back down and didn’t give it much thought…
…until I actually picked it up about a year later to read it. I was hooked from the moment I read the prologue. Kenneth Oppel did not write a poorly written prequel, as I had expected, but had created a completely original story that was filled with adventure, deep characters, and sorrow. I left my chair and was immersed in a prehistoric realm that was thoroughly researched by the author and realistic. When I finished it, I felt I wanted more, not in a regretful way, but a “that book was so good I didn’t want it to end” way. Believe me, if you enjoy any sort of animal fiction, or like Kenneth Oppel’s books, you will absolutely love this one. In my opinion, this book was the best he has ever written.
Grades: (with 1 being low and 5 being high)
Violence: 4/5 Being a prehistoric story, this book contains some intense violence. The bat-like creatures are attacked numerous times by carnivorous predators, and bloody mayhem follows. However gruesome the violence is, it is never centered on humans, who never appear in this novel.
Sexual Content: 1/5 Mates are referred to, but there is nothing sexual in this books as it deals only with animals.
Language: 0/5
Anti-Christian Elements: 3/5 The downfall of this book, if it has one, is the fact that it promotes evolution. It is the major theme in the novel, as the main character deals with the fact that he is more evolved than his friends and family.
Christian Themes: 0/5
Torres Recommendation: Because of the violence in this novel, I can only recommend it from ages 14 and up.
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