34. The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce

The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce

ISBN: 0-316-06723-7

Little, Brown and Company, New York, 1982

238 p.

Plot Summary

As the first novel in The Darkangel Series, The Darkangel takes place in the distant future, where the moon has been transformed into a lush landscape inhabited by many different types of creatures.  Eudoin is taken by the darkangel, a black-winged vampyre, to become one of his thirteen wives when gathering wedding flowers with her servant, Aerial, for a town wedding.  After recovering from the landslide caused by the darkangel as he took off with Eudoin, Aerial returns to the mountain to avenge her and the vampyre kidnaps her to continue her life of servitude as his wives’ dressmaker.  Once she learns that the darkangel needs a fourteenth wife in order to become a true vampyre and join his six brothers to rule the world, Aeriel is determined to kill him.  However, when she sees a bit of goodness inside of him, Aeriel becomes captivated by the darkangel and is conflicted as to whether she should destroy him or try to rescue the humanity still within him.

Critical Evaluation

Having little knowledge of fantasy novels outside of a few of the ones focusing on contemporary vampire romance fiction, I was not sure what to expect with the imaginary world in The Darkangel.  I have had a preconceived notion about the fantastical worlds depicted in many fantasy novels, so I originally went into it without expecting much.  At first, the unfamiliar names of places, such as Avaric and Oceanus, were difficult to get used to and distinguish one from the other, causing me to be a bit nervous about how much I would enjoy the novel.  However, I quickly became engrossed in Aeriel’s story and the adventures she encounters.  Meredith Ann Pierce has a writing style that is almost poetic, with such beautiful imagery that it was easy to picture the things that Aeriel sees.  I also particularly liked the character arc that Pierce gives Aeriel.  In the beginning of the novel, she is everything that her station in life expects of her—subservient, unattractive, and lacking self-confidence.  When her mistress is kidnapped by the darkangel, she risks her own life in hopes of saving another, valuing Eudoin’s life more highly.  However, once she is taken to the darkangel’s castle, Aeriel finds it within herself to see past the grotesque appearances of his wives and love them all, giving her the courage to fight for them and also protect the world from his control.  She goes on a journey that tests her strength, both physically and mentally, and grows as a person.  As the darkangel notes, even her walk has become graceful, demonstrating the self-confidence she gains through her adventure.  With the blending of the beautiful writing and the wonderful storytelling, I loved the novel and plan on venturing out into more fantasy books in the future, including the two others in this trilogy. 

Reader's Annotation

When her mistress is kidnapped by the darkangel to be one of his wives, Aeriel sacrifices herself to the darkangel in hopes of saving her, but he decides to take her to be his wives’ seamstress.  As Aeriel realizes that he only needs one more wife to become a true vampyre, she sets out to destroy him and save the wives.

Information About the Author

Meredith Ann Pierce was born in 1958 in Seattle, WA, moving around the country until she attended the University of Florida to get her Bachelors in Liberal Arts and her Masters in Creative Writing, as well as attending Florida State for her Masters in Library Science.  She currently works as a librarian, while continuing to write fantasy novels.

Shortly after earning her first Masters, in 1982, she published her first novel, The Darkangel, which earned many accolades including the International Reading Association’s “Children’s Book Award” and a position on the ALA’s “Best of the Best Books (1970-1982)” list. (information from author’s website: http://www.moonandunicorn.com)

Genre

Young Adult – Dark Fantasy/Paranormal

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the transformation Aeriel undertakes throughout the course of the novel.

2. Discuss the conflicting feelings Aeriel has for the darkangel.

3. Compare The Darkangel with the recent success of Twilight.

4. Imagine Eudoin’s experience as she was kidnapped and forced to become one of the darkangel’s wives.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

I do not anticipate any challenges for this novel, but the supernatural elements may offend some.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection? 

I covered the Dark Fantasy section for my group’s Author/Genre presentation and chose this book for my discussion.