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A review by davinareads
The Dark King Swallows the World by Robert G. Penner
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The Dark King Swallows the World follows Nora, an American girl living in World War II-era Cornwall. After the tragic death of her younger half-brother in a car accident, Nora’s grief-stricken mother becomes involved with Olaf Winter, a mysterious man Nora believes is to blame for the accident. Determined to win back her mother’s love and undo the damage caused by Winter, Nora embarks on a fantastical journey into a world filled with faeries, giants, and the land of the dead, where she must confront the dark king himself. However, it takes quite some time for the main story to unfold.
While the premise is rich with potential, I found the execution didn’t fully deliver. For a story set during a global war, the characters seem surprisingly untouched by the chaos around them, and the plot could have easily occurred in a different time period. This lack of impact from the war left the setting feeling underdeveloped. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed, with scenes reading like brief clips that didn’t always flow well together. I also struggled with the pacing, as much of the book felt long and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged at times.
Nora’s age was another element that didn’t quite work for me. Although she’s written as a 12-year-old, her dialogue and actions often felt far too mature, which created a disconnect in her character. Moreover, while the story hints at magical elements and adventure, these moments felt overshadowed by unnecessary information, leaving me wanting more from the fantasy elements the synopsis promised.
That said, there are bright spots. The last 100 pages finally bring the action and story to life, with the pace picking up and the plot feeling more cohesive. There are also glimmers of brilliance scattered throughout—small, imaginative ideas and scenes that I found truly captivating. I only wish the book had focused more on these elements.
Though The Dark King Swallows the World didn’t fully resonate with me, it’s still a unique story that may appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-burn narrative with character-driven tension. While it wasn’t for me, I’d encourage others to give it a try and see if it offers a different reading experience for them.
While the premise is rich with potential, I found the execution didn’t fully deliver. For a story set during a global war, the characters seem surprisingly untouched by the chaos around them, and the plot could have easily occurred in a different time period. This lack of impact from the war left the setting feeling underdeveloped. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed, with scenes reading like brief clips that didn’t always flow well together. I also struggled with the pacing, as much of the book felt long and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged at times.
Nora’s age was another element that didn’t quite work for me. Although she’s written as a 12-year-old, her dialogue and actions often felt far too mature, which created a disconnect in her character. Moreover, while the story hints at magical elements and adventure, these moments felt overshadowed by unnecessary information, leaving me wanting more from the fantasy elements the synopsis promised.
That said, there are bright spots. The last 100 pages finally bring the action and story to life, with the pace picking up and the plot feeling more cohesive. There are also glimmers of brilliance scattered throughout—small, imaginative ideas and scenes that I found truly captivating. I only wish the book had focused more on these elements.
Though The Dark King Swallows the World didn’t fully resonate with me, it’s still a unique story that may appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-burn narrative with character-driven tension. While it wasn’t for me, I’d encourage others to give it a try and see if it offers a different reading experience for them.