Very Focused And Precise

The Dark Planet
By Patrick Carman
Pub. Date: May 2009
3.5 out of 5 stars
PG - Violence
Recommended

Synopsis from BarnesandNoble.com:
“After journeying to an unfamiliar land where air is nearly unbreathable and light stings like shards of glass, Edgar must navigate the deadly forests--full of creatures far more frightening than anything he has seen on Atherton--and join the child workforce of Silo #7, the site where Dr. Harding (the mad maker of Atherton) was raised. In the final thrilling chapter of this epic triology, we meet an engaging new cast of characters and Dr. Harding's ultimate plan comes together in an incredibly satisfying conclusion.”

The Dark Planet had a pretty basic plot, but the world this book inhabited was cleverly built. The description of the Futuristic world in which Edgar and the other characters lived was very focused and precise. Every character, creature, storm, rock, atmosphere, food source, etc had their limitations. Like reality, people can’t do everything and anything. Even with his special abilities, Edgar was still grounded by the same natural laws as everyone else and both the futuristic government and food source were viable and oddly logical. Nothing was too crazy or out there, but had just enough oddities to validate it’s sci-fi feel.

There were several mentions of past characters and events that were in the prior books in the trilogy, but were not part of this last book. It really had me wanting to read the first two books, but I didn’t have to. The Dark Planet was so well explained that it could be fully comprehended without reading the others.

While I really enjoyed this book and zoomed through it, it’s really more for a reading level of middle schoolers. The author provided descriptions for everything, and the characters, while interesting and entertaining, weren’t filled out enough to become people I felt like I could meet. I do suggest The Dark Planet to any and all middle schoolers/ tweens out there.

Date Reviewed: August 7th, 2009

For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com ( )

The Dark Planet is the third and final book in the Atherton series and there isn't a whole lot I can say without giving everything away.

So....

If you have read the first two books -- Book 1: The House of Power and Book 2: Rivers of Fire, then you will love The Dark Planet. All of our favorite characters are here plus some wonderful (and horrible!) new ones. Edgar learns more about where he came from and in true Carman style, all loose ends are tied up in time for great happy ending.

If you haven't read the first two books -- what are you waiting for? Do it now!
Carman is a great writer. He has yet to disappoint and I've read just about everything he has written so far :)

Other Patrick Carman news

* 39 Clues Book Five, which he wrote, is now available
* Ghost in the Machine, the sequel to Skeleton Creek is being released October 1st - i can't wait! ( )

Reason for Reading: The last book in the trilogy.

Comments: The third and final book in the trilogy focuses on a theme that the other books made us aware of early on, that of a post-apocalyptic Earth. Edgar follows a map left behind by Dr. Harding and finds himself on his way to The Dark Planet where he feels that everything has been set in motion for him a long time ago. Now is his time to save the children of this almost dead planet.

I really enjoyed this book the most out the three and that's saying a lot as I have heartily enjoyed this trilogy. But I am a big fan of post-apocalyptic fiction and this was a really exciting story that included a dystopian society but does not get too heavy and keeps the book suitable for the middle grade reader. Edgar is back to being our main character as we've grown to really care for him through this series. Though Isabel and Samuel do have an important part to play back on Atherton, gone are all the supplementary characters from the first two books. Instead we are met with a whole new group of characters on Earth and the book feels fresh and new. Great story, great new characters and a refreshing new plot that still keeps it's ties to the one from the previous books while going in a completely new direction. A highly enjoyable read. Recommended! P.S. Even though it's sci-fi there is a dragon. ( )