Customer Reviews
Books to Treasure - By: Miss Temple, 16 Jul 2008 
When Glass Books of the Dream Eaters came out in hardback, straight away I fell in love with the cover. I received it for my birthday & was simply spellbounded by the story. I had not heard of G.W.Dahlquist or the book before & was definitely not expecting a sequel. A month ago I was browsing the many shelves of my favourite book shop & was nailed to my feet when I saw the Dark Volume (also in hardback). At first I thought it was a whole new story, but once I read the plot I knew that I definitely had to buy it that day (thankfully I did because I've noticed that the shop hasn't ordered another copy since). However, a word of warning, you definitely would not understand the Dark Volume if you haven't read Glass Books. For those who likes to have a pretty collection of books in your library then I would definitely recommend these two, in hardback. I can't wait till the third one comes!
Gothic intoxication - By: Sarah J. Schmitz, 08 Jul 2008 Waited so long for this sequel, & have gobbled it up. Dizzying in detail, it makes you need to keep going just to bring the 3 main characters together. I do so hope there's going to be another one - if only to see if Miss Temple can overcome! Reallly superb.
Another class book about another glass book...... - By: A. E. Dangerfield, 24 Jun 2008 As any self-respecting film franchise would do, the 'Glass Book' saga gets darker with its second installlment - The Dark Volume. You might say that the clue's in the name. As a huge fan of the first novel, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed reading this second book even more. The question is - why?
Well, as other reviewers have noted, the plot is a great deal more focused. Right from the start, you get the sense that Dahlquist has planned ahead, & that we are involved in the unfolding of a plot that has already been mapped out - & not one that is (perhaps) being made up along the way. Mirroring that, there aren't as many of those occasions in which various characters run blindly around never-ending corridors. Make no mistake - they do run! - but it alll seems a little less pointless, & a little easier to follow as a result.
Of course, it is the wonderful characters in Dahlquist's world that draw us to these books; the diminutive - yet feisty - Miss Temple, who always finds time to bemoan a lack of biscuits/cake with her tea, even when in the hands of her enemies; Cardinal Chang, the ruthless, red-coated, stick-weilding assassin with a broken heart; & Doctor Svenson, the upstanding ex-naval surgeon who is unable to profess his love for Eloise. Our three main protagonists are alll so richly drawn, as they were in the previous book, that you can't help but get drawn into their every predicament. And that's not to mention the various other superb characters that populate the novels..........
In fact, the veritable sea of characters in Dahlquist's world is perhaps a point of crticism. So many subsiduary characters are introduced, & often without a great deal of description, that the reader is at risk of becoming utterly confused when they later reappear or are referred to. Especiallly as so many new names & faces crop up, only to be despatched a few pages later!
As a result, I would strongly reccommend that anyone who wished to read 'The Dark Volume' should read 'The Glass Books..' first. Although the author does state that his second book is a stand-alone volume, & provides us with a brief run-down of the characters from the first, I reallly cannot imagine that a reader would have any chance of getting to grips with the various events, plot threads & ever-shifting allliances in this imaginary world without having been involved from the word go. Even for someone who had read 'The Glass Books' fairly recently, it took me a great deal of concentration & memory-searching to keep myself up-to-date with the numerous narrative strands running throughout!
However, this does alll make 'The Dark Volume' a higly satisfying read. At 500+ pages, it is that bit shorter than its predecessor, & is an ideal length. Dahlquist writes some excellent dialogue (a scene between Miss Temple & the Contessa on the train springs to mind), & creates a powerful sense of foreboding, as everything that was known before is suddenly turned on its head. Who is the shadowy figure that hunts our protagonists - both good & bad? What is the significance of Eloise? What has happened to alll the mysterious technology of the Comte?
'The Dark Volume' was a gripping book that had me reaching for it at any possible moment, & its conclusion was both astonishing & exciting. Surely, if there's anything that recommends a book, it's that you want to read the next one directly after finishing it. If so, in the case of G. W. Dahlquist, it's 'job done'. A complex, involved, thrilling & always-surprising read.
But if you've not read the first one, I suggest you take a mesmerising look into that particular 'glass book' first.......
Beware...... prepare to be devoured once again. - By: Angela182, 24 Jun 2008 Vivid, spectacular array of events in this desperately awaited sequel leave you only (once again) lusting for more!
G W Dahlquist does not disappoint. It's rich, luxurious reading with extra darkness weaved throughout every chapter.
All together, the whole concept which G W Dahlquist has centered the two books around is profound.
It is with baited breath I await the next one.
Loved it inspite of its flaws - By: Preston, 21 Jun 2008 Yes, it is tighter than 'Glass Books'. I couldn't put it down though & was left wanting more. It made me want to re-read the first book. The characters are a mixture of the frustrating & appealing but you do care about them & the strange, gothic world they inhabit. The best part is when the three main characters actuallly get together & I found myself wanting more of this. This book should appeal to alll who like to escape to a fantasy world but enjoy a bit of titillation thrown in. It begs a further sequel.
