Darkmouth by Shane Hegarty
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780007545612
(Age:11+) Highly recommended. Darkmouth is the first book in
a fantasy adventure series of the same name. Boys and girls of all
ages will be instantly hooked on the reluctant anti-hero and his
rite of passage to become the 43rd Legend Hunter of Darkmouth. Finn
is dreading his "Completion" deadline on his 13th birthday, when he
takes over from his dad - Hugo the Great - perhaps the most
successful Legend hunter of them all. Finn's predicament is
demonstrated by his inability to defeat a Minotaur in the opening
chapters, despite having him in his Desiccator's sights. Of course,
Dad comes to his rescue yet again.
The seaside town has more than its fair share of monsters entering
Darkmouth via an increasing number of portals. There seems to be an
invasion afoot just as Hugo is offered a place on the esteemed
Council of Twelve. Friendless, as his father's inept successor, Finn
begins to rise to his destiny with the arrival of Emmie - daughter
of Steve, an equally inexperienced Legend Hunter.
Broonie, the messenger of the evil Gantura, is reanimated by Finn to
deliver a prophesy of the rise of an army of Legends and the fall of
the last Legend Hunter's child. Gantrua is the leader of the
Fomorians of Irish myth - hideous giants who inhabit the 'Infested
Side'. How will Finn, aided by Emmie, defend Darkmouth without his
father?
Shane Hegarty is an Irish journalist of some note yet the novel
borders on high fantasy. Though we have many ordinary reference
points in the town, the "Infested Side", where the Legends live,
would sate the imaginations of fans of Ransom Riggs, Rick Riordan or
Terry Pratchett.
James de la Rue's sparse illustrations are perfect aids to our
imagination, but the premise and the character development makes the
battle between man and monsters deliciously dynamic. Hailed by Eoin
Colfer as "the next big thing," the film rights were sold in 2015
for a six figure sum. But first boys and girls, you need to devour
this series in print to appreciate the origins of this epic of
cinematic proportions. Official
trailer. There is a prequel to the series here.
Deborah Robins