darkwood by m. e. breen

The sun sets so quickly in Howland that the people who live there have no word for evening. One minute the sky is blue or cloud gray, the next minute it is black, as though someone has thrown a heavy blanket over the earth.

The people of Howland have no moon. It is said that an evil witch cast a spell to hide it 7 centuries ago. So when darkness falls, there is no light anywhere. Thats when the Kinderstalk come out.

Kinderstalk are supposed to be evil creatures that eat children. Of course no one knows if that is true, but whatever children wander out after dark never come back. Annie is just like any other girl in Howland. She fears kinderstalk, and would never venture into the forest, until she hears her uncle Jock and aunt Prim talking about selling her to a man who will take her to the Drop. Then she knows she must go, and at night as well, which would be violating two of the unspoken rules of her village. When she leaves, she has no idea what she is getting herself into. Not expecting to survive the night in the forest, she is thrown into a whirlwind of prophesies, Kinderstalk, and the mystery of the dissapeared children.

“The Scion of darnkness will bear the white mark, Human form, animal heart. Black water, radiant night, Torn from love, wounded life. Changeful child, shelter the pack. Brave in batte, devour the witch.”

I liked this book. It was very confusing at times, but other times it was wonderful. And I love, love, LOVE the cover. I think that is a big part of why I chose to read it in the first place. I mean, look at it! can you see it and not want to read it? I couldn’t. I think I would give this book 3 1/2 stars.