The Dark Within Us – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Runaway teen journeys through Hell.
Children’s book title: The Dark Within Us.
Children’s author: Jess Popplewell.
Cover illustrator: Micaela Alcaino.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction.
Published by: Chicken House Books.
ISBN: 9781915947185.
Recommended for children aged: 14+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback August 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Immersing yourself into a deep dive of one author’s fantastical and detailed imagining of Hell and hellish creatures. Exploring thoughts and beliefs around the afterlife, moral ambiguity and our physical and emotional place within it all.
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Our review:
At first glance, The Dark Within Us may appear to be much like other fantasy teen supernatural stories where much of the plot line is dedicated to one, controversial budding romance between a human and non-human protagonist. Although this theme does play a key part, there is also great depth to this tale and thought-provoking detail as our main protagonist Jenny embarks on a (literal) soul-searching mission which leads her, despite being a living human being, directly into All Hell. Though many of her adventures, and misadventures, do take place with the involvement of a non-human love interest, Luc (demon descendant of Lucifer), Jenny also faces many challenges alone leading to rapid character development as she untangles herself from many an impossible situation. Luc is also forced to evolve rapidly as he is faced with impossible choices regarding his loyalty to his father.
The story draws the reader in immediately with a first chapter introducing mysterious tattooed and unageing ‘10-year-old’ twins Chloe-Lee and Joey who are found in an abandoned warehouse and sent to live with a new carer, Martha in Elrick Park. Chapter 2 leaves you full of questions, jumping straight to homeless and disaffected teen, Jenny who has arrived at a seemingly average teen house party which happens to have a demon in attendance. Jenny initially resists the invitations of the demon to travel with her into All Hell, but a few unfortunate incidents leave her feeling particularly unwanted, so off she goes.
Popplewell’s All Hell is clearly inspired by Dante’s nine circles of Hell. She brings each circle to life in a sensory way as you almost smell the rancid smells that Jenny is exposed to and almost feel scorched by the burning sand upon which she must walk barefooted. This provides a fantastic opportunity for exploration of Medieval Allegory and Epic Poetry whilst examining the reaction of a modern-day audience to Dante’s seven-hundred-year-old imaginings.
Although religion is only mentioned briefly, it is clear, from various discussions, for example, a discussion about Limbo and unbaptised babies whilst in the first circle of Hell, that this version of Hell is a Christian one. As Jenny meets various souls imprisoned within these circles, it becomes clear that many of the sins that led them to hell are generally not considered sins in the modern day, demonstrated clearly through Jenny’s reaction to the stories that she hears. The ‘sin’ stories of the punished souls are portrayed as simple human error, or in the case of the soothsayer, completely involuntary. Here the reader has a chance to be challenged and brutally confronted with the reality of this version of Hell whilst deeply examining their own morality and personal alignment to religion.
It is worth mentioning that there are a few tricky topics referenced in this book which suggest that this book is generally better suited to KS4 and older. In the early stages when Jenny is still on Earth, she attends the aforementioned party. Drugs, sex and alcohol are mentioned (as is often the case for real teenagers). Notable is her thought process that she might “give him (her ex-boyfriend) what he wanted” which demonstrates her low self-image early on in the novel. She also leaves with Luc and succubae, Zillah very easily which is a definite risk-taking behaviour; though perhaps we can forgive this as it is essential to the plot!
Although difficulties with self-image and personal safety may be relatable for many young people, it may be beneficial for educators to explicitly discuss these elements with their pupils in order to safeguard those who are more vulnerable.
Our verdict:
Overall, The Dark Within Us is gripping and undoubtedly well-planned and researched. It provides a refreshing addition to the large collection of supernatural adventure/ romances available to young people as well as yielding an accessible gateway into historic literature and religious education. This book manages to entertain, maintain its flow and challenge the reader to think all at once.
- Read a free extract.
Many thanks to Chicken House Books for the review copy.
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If you like The Dark Within Us by Jess Popplewell you might also like: our reviews of I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy, Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson, The Last Thing You’ll Hear by Jan Dunning and The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan,
Browse our Year 11 reading list.
