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M.A. Batten
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Dark: And the Boy in the Hole: Special Dark Edition (The Prodigy Series) Paperback – April 10, 2024

by M.A. Batten (Author, Illustrator), Taalor Brodigan (Editor)
4.9 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
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** This special Dark Edition features premium title and chapter pages. **

Having been imprisoned in a deep stone pit by the tyrannical King Baltus for as long as he can remember, the Boy With No Name is unexpectedly set free by the last living minotaur, the albino Grim. Together, they escape into Myrr Wood to join the few remaining monsters of the Old World – a ragtag bunch of goblins, trolls, bendith, harpies, a wendigo, and the only lykkan left in the realm – all hunted by humanity to the brink of extinction. When the Nightlings discover the boy can mimic anything he sees, including their own fantastic abilities, they are ready to follow him in an uprising against the world's greatest monster: mankind. However, there is a traitor among the Nightlings, traps have been set, and the King has a deadly new weapon that could wipe out the creatures of the night once and for all. War is coming. But first the boy must decide if he is human, or monster.

“A masterfully woven tale of found family, coming of age, and confronting fear in a world that makes you question the reality of good versus evil. This fast-paced fantasy will have readers holding their breath to the very end, and eager to get their hands on the next book in the series.”
– T. Werden, Editor

“Amazing! The story is catching, every chapter has something going on. I have cried, laughed, cringed, and had the desire to commit murder.”
– K.E. Hills, Author

“Phenomenal!”
– N. Codignotto, Author

"5-stars. Holds a firm grip on you and never relinquishes. M.A.Batten cleverly crafts an MC who knows nothing of the world he lives in, thus allowing us to feel as though we too have emerged from a hole to see a land in conflict, filled with trepidation and mistrust. I am eagerly awaiting Book 2 of this incredible must-read series!"
– F. Mirza, Author
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Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Prodigy Series
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 10, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.85 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0975640569
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0975640562
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mr Chicken
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 10, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0975640569
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0975640562
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.85 x 8 inches
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ The Prodigy Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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M.A. Batten

M.A. Batten

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M.A.Batten is an award-winning writer of fantasy, science fiction, dark fiction, and twisted horror.

During a hugely successful 25-year career in advertising, M.A. amassed over 150 creative awards before deciding to return to his childhood dream of telling stories, but without brands or their ridiculous reasons to buy stuff you can’t afford and don’t need.

His stories have since won four First Places in NYC Midnight, two Shortlists for the Hammond House Literary Prize, and a Finalist at Page International Awards.

He is also an award-winning screenwriter under the moniker Mr Chicken whose work has collected Best Screenplay at TMFF Screenwriting, Semi-Finalist at FICIE in Spain, an Awardeo Winner, a string of Official Selections at international festivals, and garnered interest from Rupert Grint (Harry Potter series), Kunal Nayar (Big Bang Theory), Greg Davies (Taskmaster), and Nitin Sawney (Mowgli).

As M.A.Batten writes, a hedgehog called Camden sits on his desk.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storytelling engaging, describing it as an engrossing fairy tale of sorts. They appreciate its age range, with one customer noting it's suitable for middle schoolers.

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StorytellingAge range
5 customers mention "Storytelling"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling of this book, describing it as an engrossing fairy tale with monster lore and memorable scenes.

"...The voice over was so good, and the story sounded awesome, so I purchased the Kindle book immediately. I picked it up yesterday and finished today!..." Read more

"...There is so much monster lore in this story. There are scenes that I’ll forever remember and I’m interested to see where the story goes next...." Read more

"...I love it when books use known fantasy creatures in a new way. This story is fun, exciting, and full of surprises...." Read more

"A solid and inventive fantasy tale, and a very enjoyable read. I was drawn in by the back cover blurb and overall the narrative doesn’t disappoint...." Read more

3 customers mention "Age range"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book age-appropriate, with one mentioning it's suitable for middle schoolers and another noting that older kids and adults will enjoy it.

"...I agree with others - this book is great for middle grade + Readers...." Read more

"...Dark was the coming of age tale that is suitable for middle schoolers and definitely gives you a different perspective on who is a hero and who is a..." Read more

"...This story is fun, exciting, and full of surprises. Older kids and adults will enjoy it." Read more

Even in the darkness, this story shines bright.
5 out of 5 stars
Even in the darkness, this story shines bright.
One thing I feel many fantasy books struggle with is too much information given in too boring of a way. THIS book did not make that mistake. With Dark, you can dive deep into a world full of monsters and fantastical mysteries without the author info-dumping it all at once. We see this boy escaping the hole (in such a comical way, might I add, easily my favorite scene of the whole book), and experiencing the outside world for the first time. But he's amongst whom the world sees as the enemy—the monsters. Which causes the boy to question: what does that make me? I loved the pacing throughout, the drama both on the emotional and physical level, and the characters with all of their unique traits and personalities. And my favorite aspect of this story is that it's more than just a cute, fantasy story about a boy in a hole. M.A. Batten reminds the reader of childlike innocence and ignorance, the beauty in discovering and appreciating life, and thematic elements of good and evil by knowing where you stand. I just loved it! :) I'm not a huge fantasy reader myself, but this is by far one of my favorites I've read. If you're not a big fantasy reader, I'd still say you'd probably enjoy this. Oh! And page 270 was an awesome scene too (second to the escape scene), but don't skip ahead and spoil it for yourself. 🤫 Thanks for a great read, Matt. I look forward to supporting your future work.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nicole Sudhoff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Thing Social Media has done for me lately
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I ran across the extremely compelling audio+semi-animated illustrations trailer of this book on Threads. The voice over was so good, and the story sounded awesome, so I purchased the Kindle book immediately. I picked it up yesterday and finished today! It's that good.

    I love the boy, I love the fantasy elements, I love the glossary/background info at the back of the book (maybe don't read until you've finished the main story...) there are many traditional folk story/fairy tale creatures in this book, and I love the details and imaginative retellings of these creatures' natures, gifts and talents.

    I agree with others - this book is great for middle grade + Readers. The "darkness" while very well described and vivid, does not cross over into horror territory and older kids, teens and adults can all enjoy. Great themes of questioning who are the good guys and the bad guys, found family, and destiny.

    Cannot WAIT for the next one!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kisa Rayen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, man vs. Beasts, coming of age
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Where to begin! I bought this after seeing it on threads and man oh man. This book was so amazing. Dark was the coming of age tale that is suitable for middle schoolers and definitely gives you a different perspective on who is a hero and who is a villain. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The beasts and characters were woven together perfectly and after seeing artwork for this book, man those descriptions are spot on. I love that this was a rise against mankind kind of book. The dark and twisty turns had me wanting more. I want more of Dark, Grim, and Morgana. I want to see more adventures and more of this world. Definitely a reread and number one on my fantasy reads this year so far.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Rashad S
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Fun Tale to Read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I felt like a kid again! Such an engrossing fairy tale of sorts! There is so much monster lore in this story. There are scenes that I’ll forever remember and I’m interested to see where the story goes next.

    In the best way possible I stayed up late on 3 different occasions not able to put the book down. Now time for sleep!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Wendilynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging mystery packed in a coming of age story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The mystery of Dark, a boy who doesn't know who he is or what he is capable of, kept me turning page after page. I love it when books use known fantasy creatures in a new way. This story is fun, exciting, and full of surprises. Older kids and adults will enjoy it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Matthew Cesca
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A solid and inventive fantasy tale, and a very enjoyable read. I was drawn in by the back cover blurb and overall the narrative doesn’t disappoint. I did think it was stalling a bit in the middle, but everything made sense in the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • shigui
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I cannot wait to read more of what he has written. Especially about Dark. I started reading and was instantly hooked.
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  • Olivia O'Brien
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging world building, characters, and plot.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    For those who enjoy a page turning fantasy fiction, this is sure to keep you engaged. All of the characters felt well crafted yet not over explained. The world building was entertaining and leaves me wanting to know more. My only complaint is that I didn’t know it was a series until I finished it and now I have to wait for the next installment…
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  • Bruno T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Supporting a great Dad
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    I purchased this book after reading an adorable letter to Santa written by the author's 11 year old daughter which he posted to Threads. He and his wife are raising a kind, good hearted little girl. Great parenting! ❤️
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Felizitas Philipp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and heartbreaking
    Reviewed in Germany on April 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This story leaves you with one question:
    Are the monsters of legends and fairy tales really the ones we should fear?

    For all the grammar loving folks, there are some minor typos but otherwise a really good read.
    Do recommend :)
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  • Em
    5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent read!
    Reviewed in France on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've spent a wonderful, and dark, time, alongside the Boy in the Hole. Not a comfortable travel, but rather a fantastic one, full of emotions! Lovers of creatures, friends of the shadows, unite and get this book!!
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  • B J TWIGG
    5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASY BOOK FOR FANTASY LOVERS
    Reviewed in Australia on April 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    From the first sentence I was hooked!

    Batten’s way in which he wove this fantasy world that is so magical and yet so menacingly dark (and delicious with detail) truly was a joy to read! I truly appreciated this book and it is a must read for any fans of fantasy, classic or modern.

    As the world unfolded so did the MC’s understanding allowing us to learn with him. I thoroughly enjoyed taking this journey with the MC and discovering everything this world had to offer.

    The characters and creatures of this world had me hooked. They were such a unique and interesting, also inspiring take on classic creatures that I have not yet come across!

    The pace of the story never stopped and when it dipped it was only temporarily allowing the reader a moment to breathe and carry on to enjoy this brilliant book.

    I look forward to the next instalment of this world! A must read for fantasy readers as well as a great entrance to fantasy world for those new the genre!
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  • Mike
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    As it starts I was expecting another epic fantasy with the usual tropes. I was wrong. You're sort of teased that way then it squirms and hits from the other side. Yes the boy in the hole doesn't know who or what he is. And yes there's an evil king. But the twists and turns will make you spin. The creatures of mythology are all present but M A Batten has deliberately tried to avoid the clichés. I think he's succeeded. A great fast paced story that's left me itching for book 2...
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  • Phil B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not usually a reader of fantasy, but I loved this story
    Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    As a science fiction reader (and writer), I don't usually read fantasy, but I've been following M.A. Batten on social media and this book seemed as though it would appeal to me. I was not disappointed.

    Dark: An the Boy in the Hole was suspenseful, fast-paced, and kept my interest from the start until the very end. I especially enjoyed the range of creatures and characters among the "nightlings" and how they banded together with the main character to battle tyranny. I can imagine this book appealing to young readers (despite some rather "dark" subject matter), but I think it can be enjoyed by all ages.
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