The Dark Portal (Deptford Mice Trilogy (Audio))

Jarvis, Robin

ISBN 10: 1441728651 ISBN 13: 9781441728654

Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, 2013

Synopsis

Every mouse knows: Beware the Grill. On the other side of the Grill lie the sewers, where bloodthirsty gangs of rats roam the tunnels. It is in the depths of this blackness that the mysterious god Jupiter has his lair. But one curious mouse can't resist the perilous world beyond the Grill, and soon no mouse can ignore its dangers any longer. Before the alter of Jupiter himself, a small band of mice must face evil at its strongest, or the entire city of London could be destroyed.

About this title

About the Author:

Robin Jarvis was born in Liverpool, England, and studied graphic design in college. He worked in television and advertising before becoming a full-time author and illustrator. It was while working at a company that made characters for TV programs and advertising that he began making sketches of mice. From these drawings, the idea for the Deptford Mice was born. The Dark Portal, short-listed for the 1989 Smarties Book Prize in England, was followed by two more titles in the series, The Crystal Prison and The Final Reckoning. He lives in London.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-9-This animal adventure tale pits a varied cast of mice against sewer-dwelling rats. Commanded by an evil creature named Jupiter, the rat hordes labor on a huge tunnel that will somehow bring their leader great power. Several mice are drawn into the sewer and eventually work together to thwart the project. With multiple protagonists, the action gets disjointed at times. Brave young Audrey gets captured early on, and doesn't reappear until several chapters later, detracting from the tension of her plight. Some characters, like Audrey's brother Arthur, are not developed beyond some basic traits. The action alternates between various mice trying to rescue Audrey and the terrible rats who are caught up in Jupiter's scheme and their own wicked designs. Jupiter himself is a compelling villain, never seen by even his closest henchman, whose magical powers increase as his evil plan unfolds. The best scenes in the novel involve danger and action, often with gruesome details. The rats not only kill mice, they skin and eat them, so the narrow escapes and close calls are exciting, especially the final scene in which the mice finally battle Jupiter. Brian Jacques's "Redwall" series (Philomel) is more tightly plotted and Kenneth Oppel's "Silverwing" books (S & S) are more suspenseful, but The Dark Portal will appeal to fans of both.
Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend, OR
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1441728651
• ISBN 13: 9781441728654
• Binding: Audio CD