The Dark Portal - Softcover

Jarvis, Robin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340788623 ISBN 13: 9780340788622

Publisher: Hodder Children's Books, 2000

Synopsis

THE DARK PORTALIn the sewers of Deptford there lurks a dark presence which fills the tunnels with fear: Jupiter, an evil being who aims to take over the world. Worshipped by the fearsome rats, Jupiter's dreams could well come true.Can the mice ever survive against such evil? Or have they lost the comfortable world they once knew for ever ...This stunning trilogy commences with The Dark Portal, in which Albert Mouse squeezes through the Grill and disappears. Realising that he has been captured by the rats of the sewers, Albert's children, Audrey and Arthur, embark on a treacherous journey to find him.

About this title

About the Author

Robin Jarvis studied graphic design in Newcastle and then worked in television and advertising making model monsters and puppets. He has been a full-time writer and illustrator for some time, and has a large following among children and adults. Robin's books are consistent best-sellers and he has won several awards for his work. The Dark Portal was runner-up for the Smarties Prize in 1989.

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: Hodder Children's Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0340788623
• ISBN 13: 9780340788622
• Binding: Paperback