A review by shimmeringice
Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Somewhat controversially, this is my favorite Diana Wynne Jones book. I absolutely love the dark absurdity of running a tourist trap 'fantasy adventure' with real fake wars, real death and real magic. The chaotic wedding planning aspect and family drama is just *chef's kiss*. In classic Diana Wynne Jones fashion, there's a massive number of plot threads that branch and branch and branch, to the point you can't possibly imagine how they all connect, only to find her reeling in every single one and tying them off expertly at the end.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault

So there's a scene where a 17 year old girl is sexually assaulted around the middle of the book. It's not graphic, and I always interpreted it as some really traumatic groping that didn't get a chance to go further, but I've seen some readers interpret it as full-on gang rape. I first read this book when I was about 13, and it was undescribed enough and I was young/naive enough that I didn't realize the implications of what had happened until I was older. YMMV