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The Plentiful Darkness Hardcover – August 3, 2021

by Heather Kassner (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
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In Heather Kassner's spine-chilling fantasy novel, reminiscent of Serafina and the Black Cloak, an orphaned girl chases a thieving boy into a magician’s land of starless, moonless gloom where other children have gone missing before her.

"Gleams with an eerie magic, its characters burning bright and fierce. A visual treat of a tale." ―Stefan Bachmann, international bestselling author of Cinders and Sparrows

In order to survive on her own, twelve-year-old Rooney de Barra collects precious moonlight, which she draws from the evening sky with her (very rare and most magical) lunar mirror. All the while she tries to avoid the rival roughhouse boys, and yet another, more terrifying danger: the dreaded thing that's been disappearing children in the night.

When Trick Aidan, the worst of the roughhouse boys, steals her lunar mirror, Rooney will do whatever it takes to get it back. Even if it means leaping into a pool of darkness after it swallows Trick and her mirror. Or braving the Plentiful Darkness, a bewitching world devoid of sky and stars. Or begrudgingly teaming up with Trick to confront the magician and unravel the magic that has trapped Warybone’s children.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 6
  5. Dimensions
    5.68 x 0.97 x 8.49 inches
  6. Publisher
    Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
  7. Publication date
    August 3, 2021
  8. ISBN-10
    1250764009
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1250764003
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—Rooney De Barra's life is difficult: She's an orphan living on the streets with only rats for company. Having been rejected by the Roughhouse Boys, the ragtag group of parentless children who terrorize the town, she lives in a desperate competition to collect moonlight which she sells to buy food. It seems like life couldn't get much worse for Rooney, until it does. She catches the eye of the witch who stalks the town and finds herself flung into the Plentiful Darkness: a place where all seasons of the year exist, but only in nighttime mode. Ruling this place is Sorka of the Darkness, whose subjects include children who have disappeared from the town without a trace. Soon joined in the murk by her nemesis Trick Aidan, Rooney struggles to learn how to deal with this strange new place, only to discover the reason Sorka is trapped here and why it may mean none of them will ever see the light of day again. Part spooky, part fantastical, this is a strange little tale that weaves in important life lessons without being preachy, and features an impatient heroine who struggles with her flaws even as she's trying to work her way out of the void. The unrelenting darkness is an interesting concept, but hinders world-building to a certain extent. Readers who enjoy Adam Gidwitz's "Grimm" series will enjoy this title too. VERDICT Purchase where shivery fantasy for tweens is in demand.—Elizabeth Friend, Wester M.S., TX

Review

"Though the darkness is indeed plentiful, this book gleams with an eerie magic, its characters burning bright and fierce. A visual treat of a tale." ―Stefan Bachmann, international bestselling author of Cinders and Sparrows
"For readers who love the creepiness of Coraline . . . Lyrical narration weaves a tale that’s both haunting and comforting." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Kassner’s latest is deliciously on-brand, with inventive magic, lyrical writing, and that just-right creep factor." ―Kirkus

"Readers who enjoy Adam Gidwitz’s Grimm series will enjoy this title too." ―School Library Journal
"An obvious pick for dark fantasy readers." ―Booklist

"This eerie tale... succeeds in delivering a message of resilience and hope." ―Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Forest of Stars

* "Irresistible." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Kassner’s writing dazzles . . . a tale of hope, courage, and friendship." ―Newbery Honor winner Ingrid Law

"Like the carnival at its heart, this story is richly magical and delightfully eerie." ―Cassie Beasley, New York Times bestselling author of Circus Mirandus

"Fans of Kelly Barnhill and Neil Gaiman will love Kassner’s sometimes sinister, always magical carnival in this evocative fantasy about finding your place in the world." ―School Library Journal

"The writing is rich and sensuous, and stylized black-and-white drawings add to the dreaminess. It’s a captivating tale, brimming with magic, marvels, and the reminder that “friendship [is] a sort of magic all its own." ―Booklist

"A dark and dazzling tale, glistening with marvels, mysteries and the magic of friendship." ―Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

"Woven together with atmospheric, lyrical language, this is a sparkling tale about grief, hope, and found families. The magic of this book will touch your heart and send it soaring." ―Amanda Foody, author of Ace of Shades

"A spellbinding tapestry of dreams and nightmares, shadows and hope." ―J.A. White, author of The Thickety

"A dark, glimmering story that combines the coziness of a classic fairy tale with the joyful inventiveness of poetry, THE FOREST OF STARS is a heartfelt, hopeful novel about owning your magic and finding your place in the world that fans of Catherynne Valente will love." ―Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls

"Told in prose both dark and glittering, Kassner's mesmerizing, magical story of friendship, belonging and loss will have readers eager to join the Carnival Beneath the Stars and the extraordinary characters found inside its tents." ―R. M. Romero, author of The Dollmaker of Kraków

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (August 3, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250764009
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250764003
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.68 x 0.97 x 8.49 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

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Heather Kassner

Heather Kassner

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
22 global ratings
a dark and lustrous tale
5 Stars
a dark and lustrous tale
as with any heather kassner book, this one features:- a girl who just wants to belong- a brat of a boy (but oh so lovable)- sidekick characters (and animals) who will steal your heart- tons of creepy and beautiful imagery- a story that will enchant your mind and warm your soul
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Top reviews from the United States

Cecilia
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and magical
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
“Once she might have wished upon the stars, but tonight she placed her faith in herself and in her friends. It lit, not a moonlit fire, but a starlit fire inside her." Could this be any more beautiful?? The Plentiful Darkness is a novel full of shadows and light, longing and magic, and the power of the stars that burn inside of us. Friendships and found family (and hearts that need mending) are at the core of this tale. Heather Kassner's writing casts an absolutely enchanting spell; her stories are the kind that you can disappear into for days and never want to leave, and The Plentiful Darkness is no exception. I loved it! Heather Kassner has got to be one of *the most* inventive and inspired storytellers writing middle grade.
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CS
5.0 out of 5 stars A dark and wonderful story that sucks you in and doesn't let go
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Plentiful Darkness is an amazing, magical tale that grabs your interest right from the start and it doesn't let go. The setting and world building are amazing and creative. The characters are likeable and develop in a believable way as their friendship and bonds grow despite the gloomy circumstances. If you like dark, unique stories with just the right amount of spookiness you will not be disappointed with this or any of Heather Kassner's stories. I highly recommend them all.
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Stacie E. Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical book for yonger readers
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is -- like all Heather's books -- a magical delight filled with girls on wondrous adventures. The prose is lyrical, and the emotional yearning to belong leaps off the page. A perfect book for a younger reader who can handle a scary story but isn't interested in any kind of romance or crush in her stories yet.
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Karenteacher
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and intricate
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2021
This review was provided in return for a free preview copy from NetGalley.com.

This was a fascinating and intricate novel, especially given that it's not very long. Rooney is an orphan in Warybone, a town that appears to be vaguely medieval Britain, although the details are both lacking and irrelevant. Rooney earn her living - or more correctly, her survival - by using a magical mirror to harvest moonlight, which she then sells for a pittance. She is in competition with the rogueboys, a group of moonlight harvesters that compete with her to collect and sell moonlight. Both Rooney and Trick, one of the rogueboys, are captured by the witch who has been abducting children from throughout the town and imprisoning them in the darkness, a realm controlled by another child, Sorka. Together, they search for a way to return to Warybone, and to bring the other imprisoned children with them.

Written at a middle school level, this book is appropriate for readers from upper elementary through adult.
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Emilie Rodriguez
2.0 out of 5 stars Great book, faulty product
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
The story is rich, and a very interesting read. It is indeed a dark story, and I probably wouldn't let an 8-12 yr old read it unless they were really mature. The story was disturbing in parts, not something I'd want to expose a child too. However, my copy was faulty - had pages printed throughout that were a part of a different book. Trying to get a new copy from Amazon/Publisher.....when you get your copy make sure to do a flip through checking if your copy is good.
Customer image
Emilie Rodriguez
2.0 out of 5 stars Great book, faulty product
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
The story is rich, and a very interesting read. It is indeed a dark story, and I probably wouldn't let an 8-12 yr old read it unless they were really mature. The story was disturbing in parts, not something I'd want to expose a child too. However, my copy was faulty - had pages printed throughout that were a part of a different book. Trying to get a new copy from Amazon/Publisher.....when you get your copy make sure to do a flip through checking if your copy is good.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
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Colette S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully dark and spooky tale!
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
Eerie, nightmarish, atmospheric, and perfectly creepy, The Plentiful Darkness is a lush and beautifully written tale of lost children. I loved all of the characters (including the rat!) Their heartbreaking loneliness kept me on edge the whole time. Five stars for this delightfully dark and spooky story featuring found families and healing friendships!
One person found this helpful
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Cyn
5.0 out of 5 stars a dark and lustrous tale
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
as with any heather kassner book, this one features:
- a girl who just wants to belong
- a brat of a boy (but oh so lovable)
- sidekick characters (and animals) who will steal your heart
- tons of creepy and beautiful imagery
- a story that will enchant your mind and warm your soul
Customer image
Cyn
5.0 out of 5 stars a dark and lustrous tale
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
as with any heather kassner book, this one features:
- a girl who just wants to belong
- a brat of a boy (but oh so lovable)
- sidekick characters (and animals) who will steal your heart
- tons of creepy and beautiful imagery
- a story that will enchant your mind and warm your soul
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
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Pixie Ru
5.0 out of 5 stars This story will draw the reader into powerful and plentiful darkness.I
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
This story took me into dark and spooky places with characters who try to escape a mysterious trap.
it made me wonder if a person can overcome fear to find that the world is full of magic.
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