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Invisible Fiends #6
The Darkest Corners
The concluding part of this darkly funny, horror series Darren Shan called 'deliciously nightmarish'.Kyle is a bit of a problem child. He won’t do what his dad tells him. But that’s because his dad wants Kyle to unleash the scuttling, screaming, killer creatures of the Darkest Corners and bring about the end of the world. Now might be a good time to rebel…
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 16, 2020
4 stars.
Well holy heck this was a good series! I kept wondering if it was MG or YA but while it seems to start of as MG. The covers look MG, the wide gaps between the sentences inside make it look MG... but, as the books go on its definitely YA.
I loved how creepy this series could be but at the same time, there was definitely some humour mixed into it. The sarcastic comments here and there were an absolute delight.
All the books are a fast easy read. So if your looking for a bit of creepy with a dash of humour and something that's not gonna take weeks or months to read, I'd suggest this.
Well holy heck this was a good series! I kept wondering if it was MG or YA but while it seems to start of as MG. The covers look MG, the wide gaps between the sentences inside make it look MG... but, as the books go on its definitely YA.
I loved how creepy this series could be but at the same time, there was definitely some humour mixed into it. The sarcastic comments here and there were an absolute delight.
All the books are a fast easy read. So if your looking for a bit of creepy with a dash of humour and something that's not gonna take weeks or months to read, I'd suggest this.
September 21, 2012
After six fast paced dramatic and scary books, Mr Hutchison has finished the Invisible Fiends series in a thrilling display of fireworks and exploding body parts, going out with a huge bang! What a finale! Finally every remaining thread is tied together to bring you a rather surprising ending, which I then kicked myself for not seeing.
I really don't want to give any spoilers away, so I need to be really careful what I say but it is hard to keep quiet. This book was very good and was a fabulous ending to a fiendish series. I would seriously recommend Harper Collins Children's Books bringing all the books out in a bound set ready for Christmas, because I am pretty sure anyone with boys aged between 9 to 12 would love this series. Not to be sexist, I seriously think a large majority of the girls would enjoy it too - if they like a little bit of horror, then buy these for them - I promise you they will devour the whole series in a weekend and a quiet Christmas will be had by all.
This book sees the return of all the characters from the previous books and it was like meeting old friends, or should I say old enemies. I can't help it but I really love Mr Mumbles and I know I shouldn't, but that guy does have a softer side, you just have to search a little bit for it. I was so pleased to see Ameena do the right thing in the end too.
I thought the epilogue was brilliant - it really made certain aspects of the series finally make sense. It was like a light bulb moment that I should have guessed beforehand, but the author cleverly hid the evidence so that I had no idea.
This really is a brilliant series with an original storyline, smattered with the author's sarcastic humour which I have grown to love. Just imagine if your worst nightmare came true and you had to deal with it. Well Mr Hutchison has done it with style. Fast paced, not stop action all the way through.
I really don't want to give any spoilers away, so I need to be really careful what I say but it is hard to keep quiet. This book was very good and was a fabulous ending to a fiendish series. I would seriously recommend Harper Collins Children's Books bringing all the books out in a bound set ready for Christmas, because I am pretty sure anyone with boys aged between 9 to 12 would love this series. Not to be sexist, I seriously think a large majority of the girls would enjoy it too - if they like a little bit of horror, then buy these for them - I promise you they will devour the whole series in a weekend and a quiet Christmas will be had by all.
This book sees the return of all the characters from the previous books and it was like meeting old friends, or should I say old enemies. I can't help it but I really love Mr Mumbles and I know I shouldn't, but that guy does have a softer side, you just have to search a little bit for it. I was so pleased to see Ameena do the right thing in the end too.
I thought the epilogue was brilliant - it really made certain aspects of the series finally make sense. It was like a light bulb moment that I should have guessed beforehand, but the author cleverly hid the evidence so that I had no idea.
This really is a brilliant series with an original storyline, smattered with the author's sarcastic humour which I have grown to love. Just imagine if your worst nightmare came true and you had to deal with it. Well Mr Hutchison has done it with style. Fast paced, not stop action all the way through.
June 2, 2024
As series finales go, this one was bloody brilliant. So many twists and turns, lots of good scares, and an all round great story. I started this series in 2012 when I was ten (hiding under the quilt convinced Mr Mumbles was about to tap on the window) and returning to it last year was the main inspiration for choosing to write the opening of a children's horror-fantasy book as part of my Creative Writing dissertation (which is nowhere near as scary but still). Highly recommend :)
June 22, 2017
A bit violent but i love this series - i am careful what bits to read but the p7s loved raggy maggie so much i wish i could read them in order but the library system is dragging its heels! not for younger kids.
August 13, 2023
this series is WORTH IT. love love love. every single book. the ending was totally unexpected and made me slam the book down and pace around the room. amazing.
January 4, 2013
This review first appeared on The Book Zone(For Boys) blog
At the end of The Beast, the fifth book in the series, Barry dropped a couple of massive bombshells which left his readers more than a little gobsmacked, and demonstrated that he was not afraid to kill off characters or make game changing revelations. As such, we go into The Darkest Corners really not knowing which of the key characters will survive, or if Kyle will be able to thwart the heinous plans of his depraved father. This makes every turn of the page something of a strain on the old nerves, and some readers might be nervous wrecks by the time they reach the all important denouement.
Aside from that I don't want to tell you much more about this book as I don't want to spoil anything for you. If, like me you are a fan of the series then I very much doubt that you will be disappointed with the events and the final outcome. Kyle has grown so much as a character over the course of the story, from the boy who was scared of a bump in the dark (rightly so with hindsight, considering what made that bump), and as each book has come and gone we have seen him grow into someone who we really believe could save the world from the monsters that he sees out of the hospital windows in that repeated prologue. Following the events that occurred in The Beast Kyle is pretty much left with very little to lose, and yet this has spurred him on even further to make sure his father is taken down for good. However, knowing his character we are constantly asking whether he will have the killer instinct when the final moment comes.
Invisible Fiends has been one of my favourite series of the past few years, and when I eventually give up blogging, and have a little more time to re-read favourite books then I will definitely be re-reading this series back-to-back. I feel I should thank Barry Hutchison for creating this brilliant series. Way back when I first reviewed Raggy Maggie I stated that I felt that Caddie was one of the greatest creations in children's horror literature. Since then we have had Crowmaster and Doc Mortis, and when you add Mr Mumbles to the list you have a stunning array of monsters that will live long in the memories (and maybe nightmares) of anyone who reads these books.
At the end of The Beast, the fifth book in the series, Barry dropped a couple of massive bombshells which left his readers more than a little gobsmacked, and demonstrated that he was not afraid to kill off characters or make game changing revelations. As such, we go into The Darkest Corners really not knowing which of the key characters will survive, or if Kyle will be able to thwart the heinous plans of his depraved father. This makes every turn of the page something of a strain on the old nerves, and some readers might be nervous wrecks by the time they reach the all important denouement.
Aside from that I don't want to tell you much more about this book as I don't want to spoil anything for you. If, like me you are a fan of the series then I very much doubt that you will be disappointed with the events and the final outcome. Kyle has grown so much as a character over the course of the story, from the boy who was scared of a bump in the dark (rightly so with hindsight, considering what made that bump), and as each book has come and gone we have seen him grow into someone who we really believe could save the world from the monsters that he sees out of the hospital windows in that repeated prologue. Following the events that occurred in The Beast Kyle is pretty much left with very little to lose, and yet this has spurred him on even further to make sure his father is taken down for good. However, knowing his character we are constantly asking whether he will have the killer instinct when the final moment comes.
Invisible Fiends has been one of my favourite series of the past few years, and when I eventually give up blogging, and have a little more time to re-read favourite books then I will definitely be re-reading this series back-to-back. I feel I should thank Barry Hutchison for creating this brilliant series. Way back when I first reviewed Raggy Maggie I stated that I felt that Caddie was one of the greatest creations in children's horror literature. Since then we have had Crowmaster and Doc Mortis, and when you add Mr Mumbles to the list you have a stunning array of monsters that will live long in the memories (and maybe nightmares) of anyone who reads these books.
December 7, 2012
So, this was the end to the incredible series that is Invisible Fiends. I really don't know what to say about it other than WOW!
I don't really want to do a huge review like the others so I'll give it my best shot because I'm 'such a hero'.
I was so emotional reading this book because;
1.It was the last ever one.
2. The twist in the this last book.
I don't know about you guys, but I sobbed through the last few pages. I honestly couldn't help it, it just came out, DON'T JUDGE ME! Anyway, part of the reason why I cried is because, I had been on, what was like a journey basically. It was like I was there. I have read many books written in first person, but never have I felt like I was the main character in any of them. The book is written such a way to make probably anyone feel that way, (maybe without the crying part), I congratulate you Barry on your amazing brain.
Barry came to my primary school in 2010,(I think), to sign books for the kids in our school. After that was break, and hardly no one was outside, and the people who where outside, where reading his book, like the other kids, who actually asked to stay in side and read. I was one of them, if you where wondering. This went on for one whole week. That's how amazing the series is, you have to carry on reading it. Everyone in my family got hooked on it too. Even my dad who dislikes fiction.
The story line for the series is like nothing I have read before. Ever. Totally full of total coolness,(which is cool by the way). I suspect that this series is targeted at boys, am I correct? But I loved it and I'm a girl. If you don't know anything about the series I'll tell you little bits right now. The main character is a teenage boy called Kyle. His childhood imaginary friend, Mr Mumbles, comes back to kill him on Christmas day, while he's home alone. A girl called Ameena comes and saves Kyle by hitting Mr Mumbles in the face with a baseball bat.(Nice.) From then on, Kyle and Ameena are in it together for a mixed journey of horror and fantasy.
I love you have all have or are going t enjoy it. It's a book of awesomeness. Buy it. Now!
I don't really want to do a huge review like the others so I'll give it my best shot because I'm 'such a hero'.
I was so emotional reading this book because;
1.It was the last ever one.
2. The twist in the this last book.
I don't know about you guys, but I sobbed through the last few pages. I honestly couldn't help it, it just came out, DON'T JUDGE ME! Anyway, part of the reason why I cried is because, I had been on, what was like a journey basically. It was like I was there. I have read many books written in first person, but never have I felt like I was the main character in any of them. The book is written such a way to make probably anyone feel that way, (maybe without the crying part), I congratulate you Barry on your amazing brain.
Barry came to my primary school in 2010,(I think), to sign books for the kids in our school. After that was break, and hardly no one was outside, and the people who where outside, where reading his book, like the other kids, who actually asked to stay in side and read. I was one of them, if you where wondering. This went on for one whole week. That's how amazing the series is, you have to carry on reading it. Everyone in my family got hooked on it too. Even my dad who dislikes fiction.
The story line for the series is like nothing I have read before. Ever. Totally full of total coolness,(which is cool by the way). I suspect that this series is targeted at boys, am I correct? But I loved it and I'm a girl. If you don't know anything about the series I'll tell you little bits right now. The main character is a teenage boy called Kyle. His childhood imaginary friend, Mr Mumbles, comes back to kill him on Christmas day, while he's home alone. A girl called Ameena comes and saves Kyle by hitting Mr Mumbles in the face with a baseball bat.(Nice.) From then on, Kyle and Ameena are in it together for a mixed journey of horror and fantasy.
I love you have all have or are going t enjoy it. It's a book of awesomeness. Buy it. Now!
December 10, 2014
Generic, highly derivative, I mean, it's just pieces of other (more successful and real) writer's work thrown together. There's not one original idea.
My main issue though is that I just don't buy it, the plot feels ridiculous, conflicts are forced. There's a lot of fantasy books and kid's fantasy books you read and it kind of totally makes sense.
Reading this series will not bring you any pleasure.
My main issue though is that I just don't buy it, the plot feels ridiculous, conflicts are forced. There's a lot of fantasy books and kid's fantasy books you read and it kind of totally makes sense.
Reading this series will not bring you any pleasure.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews