It's been a while since Darren Shan has written a children's book. Focusing more on his adult audience these last few years it seemed like this was the avenue he would have stayed in. However, I'm glad he made the transition back. I can't believe how much I have missed him doing a children's book until now. Covid-19 is at least good for one thing. I get to start on a new series that I can't wait to read.
This first book in the serial seems different from previous children's books that he has written in the past. Almost mysterious and part of a realm that is more metaphysical rather than anything. Yet still enchanting in a way that makes look at the world in a new-found way
In some ways it kind of reminds me of Plato's cave in the sense that there is something more to reality than what most people let on. Something that can be seen to be incomprehensible to the person that has not experienced The Merge and will never understand the importance of it. Once again, Darren Shan creates a new society where The Merge is split up into several realms that are important to every single one that lives there, with there own crafts they live by.
I can almost see overlaps of his other works in terms of the elements that he uses to move the plot. There are many aspects that I have seen when reading such as the relationship Archie has with Inez, that kind of reminds me of Darren and Crepsley, the hellish creatures that are similar in feature to the Demonata series and the twists of Zom-B that are just as apparent in here.
Archie is an enigma in itself. Presented as being a normal boy yet being a locksmith in The Merge? Hmm. There's something strange here. He's a puzzle that needs to be solved without a doubt.
This first instalment is only a taste of what could be explored within this world and it is interesting to see where it will be taken in the next few books. That is one of the great things about Darren Shan's children's books is that they are always good at being thought-provoking. I can't wait to see whether these next books will answer questions or generate new ones. No matter what, I think I'm invested to the end now.
If you are wondering what rating I gave this first instalment it was four stars. A promising start with loads of questions that need answering. There is also a cliff-hanger! But I don't think that should be too bad knowing that the other two books are out to buy on the market!
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