Darkside is a children's novel by Tom Becker

Tom Becker

Tom Becker is a British children's author. He studied history at Jesus College, Oxford. He won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize for his first novel, Darkside, at the age of 25.-Bibliography:* Darkside...

, about a boy called Jonathan who discovers a world hidden in London; a world run by Jack the Ripper's family. Only the worst of the worst live here, and all too quickly Johnathan gets mixed up in a world full of murders, thieves and, of course, a werewolf and a Vampire. It was Published in 2007 by Scholastic
. It won the 2007 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

The Waterstone's Children's Book Prize is an annual award given to a work of children's literature published during the previous year. First awarded in 2005, the purpose of the prize is "to uncover hidden talent in children's writing" and is therefore open only to authors who have published no more...

 and was longlisted for the 2008 Manchester Book Award

Manchester Book Award

The Manchester Book Award is a project run in Manchester, UK, organised by School Services at the Manchester Library & Information Service; it is funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. The project is currently in its fourth year....

.
Darkside also won the Calderdale Children's Book of the year Award.

Plot

Jonathan Starling is being chased by kidnappers, and accidentally stomps across the place called Darkside, a place known by his father but kept from him because of its dangerous ways. A place that is ruled by Jack the Ripper's descendants. The place is full of murders,thieves,werewolves and a vampire. Jonathan needs to escape from Darkside and back into the safe haven of central London .

Characters

• Jonathan Starling: A troubled 14 year-old who knows his way around the streets of London.
• Carnegie: A werewolf detective with a heart of gold.
• Vendetta: An evil vampire from Darkside.
• Marianne: A bounty hunter.
• Alain Starling: Jonathan's sickly father.
• Ricky Thomas: An everyday student who was kidnapped by Marianne and brought to Darkside by force.
• Grimshaw: The ringmaster of the Beastilia Exotica.
• Humble & Skeet: Marianne's henchmen.