The Darling Undesirables

The Darling Undesirables 

The story takes place in a world where dark energy has been harnessed by a reclusive genius, known as “Father Inventor” – revered by many, reviled by more.

Energy problems solved, humanity becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets to eternal life. Unrestricted experimentation has produced a population of parentless and deformed children, the Darling Undesirables. Named for their missing body part, each Darling Undesirable is pampered, adored, and indulged, with the most charming – or physically haunting – becoming popular media pets.

The most adored Darling Undesirable is 15-year-old Heart. She dreams of escaping with her friend, Eye, and the beloved, centuries-old, clockwork horse. But first, she must save Father Inventor and the world he brought into being from the evil forces of The Purists, intent on destroying everything he ever accomplished.

Click Here to read the first two chapters of The Darling Undesirables.

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REVIEWS:
"In The Darling Undesirables, Heart and Eye captured my attention and stole my heart from page one. The plucky and protective heroine, Heart, introduces us to a world where electricity is antiquated, dark energy has been harnessed, and clockwork figures come to life in the Museum of Scientific Improbabilities and Unpredictable Oddities, where that name alone sparks the imagination.

"Thanks to Blythe Ayne’s memorable characters including Eye, and Swen, Heart’s faithful companion, and the vivid setting where this story takes place, I found myself propelled by Heart’s quest that challenges her world and her place in it. I recommend this book to all who love fantasy and adventure, young or old."
Cheri Greear

"This book, while written primarily aimed at young adults, will keep everyone entertained, even those of us who are past youth! It is full of characters you will remember long past closing the book. Plot twists that yank you into unforeseen territory will keep you turning the pages long after you should have gone to bed. This new author will surprise in the future, too. Hopefully, she will continue to thrive and entertain us with more of her celebrated characters. Great book!"
Amazon Customer

"From the moment I saw the cover and title of this book, I was intrigued. The story of Heart, one of the Darling Undesirables, pulls the reader in and takes you on a journey into a new world. Heart is naive and has lived her life very protected. As she steps outside her known environment she encounters situations that are strange and unfamiliar to her. Miss Ayne, allows the reader to learn the answers to those questions along with Heart, which I very much enjoyed."
Margaret Minary

"The Darling Undesirables is a fascinating book. While unfamiliar with the 'Steampunk' genre I dove into this story with great enthusiasm. The author takes the narrative to another level of of imagery, stretching my own personal imagination. The characters are peculiar and unusual which adds to the storyline. Unlike most adventure, heroine novels where the storyline is fairly predictable, The Darling Undesirables adds many twists and turns to the plot allowing the natural rhythm of a great story to breathe.

"I am greatly anticipating the next novel!"
B Salstrom

"Want something 'different?' This is your book. For YA as well as adults, I mean different as in ground-breaking. This is a different type of 'life after the apocalypse' novel. It's a look at the consequences of our actions as seen through the eyes of a young teen, an over-protected girl learning that the world is bigger and more divisive than she was taught.

"The greatest treat in reading the book is not just the language and fascinating settings, but the compassion. True altruism and selflessness is rare to find written well. Ayne does an amazing job capturing the emotional qualities blended with self-confidence and introspection. You keep reading to see how this character will face the challenges before her.

"I feel this is just the first of many in this unique world. Stay tuned."
Lorelle

"One of the delights of YA novels is that, well, you don't have to be a YA to enjoy them. I got in to YA fantasy when my (now grown) son was at that age – and since then I have continued reading the Pullmans and the Pratchetts with great delight.

"It is with this in mind that I was so delighted with reading The Darling Undesirables. The writing is superb and the characters well developed. The story is compelling and well-paced, but it doesn't insult the intelligence by laboring every detail (much of the back story is only alluded to, allowing the reader's imagination to fill in the details). You will be gripped early on, wanting to know what happens to Heart and her companions.

"Like all the best YA novels there is no attempt to 'talk down,' but instead there is just the right level of background darkness coupled with great clarity and hope. The protagonist has nice complexity, not always doing the right thing but always following her (missing) heart.

"I was also very impressed by the physical design of this book. Clearly the publishers have gone to great lengths to match the (steampunk-y) feel of the story with a corresponding artistic design. This is an excellent addition to the genre, and one that both YAs and oldies like me will love to read."
C. Robson

"I LOVED The Darling Undesirables by Blythe Ayne! She has created an original world, and an original method of naming characters, that helped create the sense of a world or time far different from now. When she wrote about 'benches made in the clockwork era' I wanted to know more! And as the story unfolded, Blythe Ayne skillfully wove important, but surprising, bits of the tale over and under and over again. I hope she writes more about this 'post-steampunk' world."
D. Long

"Very unique book; it was fun to read!"
Shirley Mount

“I found this book to be a feast for my imagination. A world of Dark Energy populated by a cast of beguiling characters...people of courage, vision, and ingenuity, versus forces for repression that are dark indeed. Atmospheric and hugely entertaining.”
Joseph Edge