Darkwhispers

This is the last book I had to read by Vashti Hardy and I'm so sad I have to wait for another one!<br /><br />Twins Arthur and Maudie have already had quite the adventure in 'Brightstorm', but everything they've been through will be nothing compared to what they're about to face in the sequel, 'Darkwhispers'. There is a search for a missing explorer in the Eastern Isles, and the villainous Eudora Vane is leading the mission. Arthur and Maudie are determined to find out what she's up to, but it's not an easy journey for the Brightstorm twins at all!<br /><br />If you want a series dripping with adventure, look no further than the Brightstorm series, and I loved Darkwhispers more than Brightstorm if you can believe it. The main characters are the most well-developed main characters I have read in middle grade, their relationship with one another and what they've been through and how it bonds them still is beautifully portrayed. So it goes without saying that Hardy is a warrior with her pen (or keyboard), the writing is perfect.<br /><br />Eudora Vane is such a character too. As a villain, I loved reading her scenes. She's complex and not at all a pantomime villain; she read like a real person, and I love that in my villains. There is a wealth of characters in this that makes this a fantastic sequel, a blend of personalities that work so well together, but also are developed further when they're apart.<br /><br />A simply sublime adventure sequel that manages to surpass the original.

This series is pure adventure that is enjoyed from start to finish.<br />I love this world more and more, it is really surprising, captivating and full of details that give it body and structure making it almost palpable.<br />Simply a reading luxury that you can give yourself to forget that the real world exists.

Finished this amazing book last night. I absolutely loved it, maybe even more than the 1st book-which says a lot since I loved that one so much. We follow the twins again &amp; the same amazing characters as before. They go on a brand new adventure, &amp; what an amazing adventure it is! They see more amazing things, &amp; one place is SPECTACULAR. Described in such beautiful detail I could again see everything vividly! The author created such a unique &amp; beautiful place-I wanted to go there so bad! Lol we have the same villain, &amp; I despise them just as much-actually even more than before. The things they do in this book?? We also get to have some chapters from Maudie’s point of view along w/Arthur’s chapters. I really enjoyed that. It was good to switch it up a bit. &amp; it was important I think, since they were in different places sometimes. This book tore out my heart in some places, &amp; I cried lol but it was an amazing story. Parthena still has my heart, &amp; so does Valiant...he melted my heart! Harriet is still a fierce, strong legend..Felicity &amp; her toes still have me too! Lol &amp; Welby..oh Welby, I still adore him? Still a great sibling dynamic b/n the twins, but they are also growing &amp; learning more..developing their own skills &amp; learning who they are as individuals. It ended w/what could be an opening for a 3rd book, &amp; I very badly need a 3rd book lol does anyone know if there will be one? Also, another beautiful cover, &amp; still beautiful illustrations on every chapter page.?? I highly recommend this book. Such a great author!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Synopsis of 1st book:Twins Arthur and Maudie Brightstorm receive word in Lontown that their famous explorer father has died in a failed attempt to reach the southernmost point in the world. Not only that, but he has been accused of stealing fuel before he died! The twins don't believe the news, and they answer an ad to join a new attempt to reach South Polaris. It's their only hope of learning the truth ... and salvaging their family's reputation. As the winged ship Aurora sets sail, the twins must keep their wits about them and prove themselves worthy of the rest of the crew. But will Arthur and Maudie find the answers they seek?

My only problem with Vashti Hardy don’t know what my favourite book of hers is because they are all so good ?

This book really shined as a 5 star for me. It just barely surpassed the first book for me with the first being a 4.5 star. But I really FELL in love with the Brightstorm twins in this one and their whole crew on their adventure in this one.<br /><br />I cried when something I DIDN’T want to happen at all. (If you’ve read it you know what I’m most likely talking about) I adored Valiant and am so happy they’re still going to be around.<br /><br />I really adored their adventure to a new place in this one and all the normal shenanigans that they got themselves into in this because it’s just SOO good. This one definitely has a bit of a darker side to it with the darkwhispers themselves but not completely. Also, with Arthur seeing what he wants to really do in the future where Maudie knows really want she wants.<br /><br />I cannot wait to read the next one. Even though it’s sad that it’s only a trilogy and won’t have more after because I’d love more with them.

Das Buch ist gut geschrieben, sodass ich es nicht aus der Hand legen konnte. Der Schreibstil und die Geschichte waren einfach nur toll zu lesen. <br /><br />Ich kannte den ersten Band nicht, sodass ich in die Geschichte "hineingeworfen" wurde, aber das fand ich persönlich nicht so schlimm. Gut, man kannte nicht alle zusammenhänge, aber einige konnte man sich nach und nach zusammenreimen. <br /><br />Die Geschwister Arthur und Marie machen sich, zusammen mit ihrer neuen Crew, für eine neues Abenteuer. Dabei treffen Sie erneut auf Eudora Vane, die etwas mit dem Tod ihres Vaters zu tun haben scheint, die aber eine Armada losschicken will, um den vermissten Everest Wigglesworth zu suchen.<br /><br />Dabei sind alle Wolkenschiffe verplant, jedoch stellt sich heraus, dass Eudora einen etwas anderen Plan verfolgt. Das wird noch im Laufe der Geschichte klar. <br /><br />Ich habe mit den Zwillingen mitgefiebert und gehofft, dass sie das schaffen, was sie sich vorgenommen haben. Ich war hellauf vom Verlauf begeistert, habe leider auch ein paar Tränchen vergossen und finde, dass Eudora und Co. ihre gerechte Strafe erhalten haben...<br /><br />Als Liebling dieses Buch muss ich ganz klar "Löwenzahn" benennen, gleich gefolgt von den Zwillingen und Felicitas...<br /><br /><br />Ich werde mir noch den ersten Band zulegen um die Reihe zu komplettieren und vernünftig in die Geschichte zu finden. 

4,5 Sterne<br /><br />Arthur und Marie, die am Ende des 1. Teils der Buchreihe die Gewissheit haben, dass sie nun Waisen sind, wurden von der Harriet Culpfeffer und ihrer Mannschaft vom Wolkenschiff liebevoll in ihrer Gemeinschaft aufgenommen. Und machen sich auch im 2. Teil auf eine waghalsige Reise in fremde Welten. Diesmal gilt es, einen vermissten Entdecker aufzuspüren. Auch Erzrivalin Eudora Vane macht mit bei der Suche, doch anscheinend verfolgt sie dabei noch ganz andere Ziele.<br /><br />Wie schon im ersten Band geraten die Protagonisten hier mehrmals in wirklich lebensbedrohliche Situationen. Zum Glück ist aber immer entweder Einfallsreichtum, Glück oder Hilfe von neuen Freunden zur Stelle. Die Geschichte ist phantasievoll, detailreich und wunderbar geschrieben. Man fiebert wirklich mit den Zwillingen und all ihren Freunden mit. <br />Das Buch ist aber mit 380 Seiten auch nicht gerade kurz und auch komplex, so dass man durchaus 'mitdenken' muss beim Lesen. Ich würde es daher eher für erfahrene Leser empfehlen.<br /><br />Derzeit gibt es auch im Original noch keinen 3. Teil. Er würde sich bei dem Ende der Geschichte aber definitiv anbieten!

I have fallen in love with this series! All the characters are so brilliant. I can’t wait for the next one (please dear god let there be a next one). <br /><br />Also this book was much more it’s own story than the first one. My only criticism for the first book was that I saw too many parallels in the world / characters with the Northern Lights, but that was gone in this one making it an even more enjoyable read.

Definitely a new favorite!

Great second book in the series. Fantasy and adventure mix which makes a great read for older juniors, young seniors.