The Dark Within Us

By Author / Illustrator

Jess Popplewell

Genre

Romance & Relationships

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Chicken House

ISBN

9781915947185

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

The Dark Within Us brings an inventive, funny and quirky reimagining of a modern version of hell. Jenny's felt broken for a long time. Luc has his own issues - you would too if your family ruled Hell. When they meet at a party, sparks fly. She sees a handsome devil. He sees a lost soul. Both sense trouble. But it will take a journey to the very depths of the underworld to bring a girl and a demon together . . .

The stunning debut novel from the Times/Chicken House Children's Competition 2022 Chairman's Choice Prize winner, Jess Popplewell. Draws on the author's own experience of homelessness, making this a powerful authentic story. Dante's Inferno meets Euphoria in this fresh contemporary YA.

Praise for The Dark Within Us: 'A thrilling, occasionally frightening, romantasy ... a talent to watch.' The Bookseller. 'The perfect mix of danger, desperation, adventure, heartbreak and remake.' Amie Jordan, author of All the Hidden Monsters.

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Reviews

The Dark Within Us follows a lonely girl named Jenny who is seeking the little comfort the world has left her and who is ready to hurt the ones who hurt her. Enters Luc, the son of the man running hell, who needs to meet his father's demands or spend an eternity causing suffering. Both characters want to change their lives, but at what price? Will Jenny's trip to hell be one-way only or will she find what she is missing, and will Luc go on to live a life he hates?

Reading this book felt a little like watching a grainy Tim Burton film. The characters are beautifully written, allowing the reader to see into their lives and understand their broken homes - a message the author wanted to convey through this book as teen homelessness is a very important issue to her.

I would recommend this book for Percy Jackson fans and fantasy-loving readers as I think they would enjoy it as much as I did.

384 pages