Kevin Emerson

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

**THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.**

“What would you be willing to do to save humanity from itself?”

Questions like this are often posed on back covers of YA books. This is one instance when the question is actually discussed and posed in the novel. I love that. Maybe it's because I'm a Philosophy major, or maybe it's because I'm a human being. If you're someone who often wonders what humankind is doing to the show more earth, and what the world will look like in 2086, you're gonna love this book. It will most likely terrify you, that's what it did to me.

The main reason I don't read too many dystopian novels is because they have a tendency to depress me. This is one series that, although kinda bums me out at times, for the most part just terrifies me and fascinates me. That terrific fascination had me captivated throughout the novel. I felt it was a great sequel, much better than the first book.

I really like how this series Is equal parts futuristic dystopia with sinister forces ruling the world, and ancient mythology I fused within (in this series, it's all about Atlantis). I've always been so curious about Atlantis. I can tell you that the only reason I started reading this series was the fact that Atlantis has always captivated me, and I felt the premise had serious potential. There was a huge gap between the first and second books, I was a little fuzzy on some details since I waited so long between books. But, once I got like 1/4 way through, I started to remember and became absorbed totally at that point.

Owen is a great main character, and I like YA books with male point of view. He developed a lot in this book, and his friendship with Leech (Carey) and Lilly really changed a lot. I liked the resilience of the characters, and how their personalities were so different. I felt like I knew each of them, the way they were depicted was so similar to people I have Known throughout my life, it's really quite amazing. The writing is spectacular. It has a certain cadence that is really fun to read. Here is one quote that I really liked:

“I lay there and in my mind I was in Desenna; I was in EdenWest; I was in Hub; I was in the Atlantean City; I was in my ship, flying over the wastes, and none of these places felt like home, none of them felt like where I belonged. It was like I'd come unglued from the world, like I was drifting on a wind; and even here, in a room in my moms apartment, hadn't yet landed. If anything, I felt more untethered than ever.”
-pg 248 of ARC

Plus, I was completely taken aback by the revelation at the end. I feel really bad for Owen. I kinda suspected about Victoria betraying them, but I didn't see it coming that he was a Cryo. Wonder what's gonna happen with his sister, Lissa. I feel something will occur. And why did they shoot Leech!? They didn't need him anymore? Seven dying at the end, that was intense. I liked her. There's definitely a lot to occur in the final book. This is definitely a series that is appropriate to have 3 books. It's perfectly paced and organized and I appreciate that.

I recommend this series to fans of dystopian novels with mythology infused themes. There is strong world building and character development. It's not a happy sappy book; there is heartache death and pain. This series questions the good of humanity and whether the greatest destruction of humanity can be from itself. show less

*Huge thanks to Kevin Emerson and Katherine Tegen Books for sending me a copy of this book*

I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for this book. If you remember, I LOVED the first book, The Lost Code. I was so excited about the world that Kevin Emerson envisioned. I felt like the time between books was never going to end. I had The Dark Shore on my auto-buy list, so I was absolutely going to get my hands on a copy. I NEEDED to get back into this world and find out what happened to show more Owen...and others..

Well, a few weeks ago, Kevin contacted me about being part of the tour, so of course I said yes! I am REALLY enthusiastic about this series, so I'm going to do what I can to promote it. We made arrangements for the publisher to send an ARC out. WOO! Imagine my surprise and TOTAL DELIGHT when a finished copy arrived instead. I may have jumped around a little bit. Or a lot. This is my very first publisher-sent finished copy! I kind of feel all tingly inside.

ANYWAY.

I jumped right in to the book. It wasn't hard to get sucked back into the terrifying post-apocalyptic world Emerson created. I'm actually kind of glad that it was overcast the entire time I was reading...the threat of RAD burns/poisoning was real enough to me that I felt the need to be protected! There were some super cool images right from the start - just imagine pyrocumulus clouds. There wasn't much accompanying description, but then again, there wasn't a need for it. I could TOTALLY picture what these clouds would look like. I felt like looking on Google to see if there were images out there. They seemed like things that could really BE things.

The landscape is so desolate and baked. I swear I could feel my throat parching as I read and I think I probably drank more water during this book than in the preceding three weeks put together. I'm not even kidding. I could just FEEL it, you know? The rare breeze became a reality every time it floated by.

I enjoyed following Owen through the twists and turns he faced in this book, from wondering how he was going to get himself and his friends to safety, to finding things out that would change things for him like he never thought possible. There were parts when I just wanted to gather him up for a hug, and times when I wanted to smack him upside the head. (Really, Owen?!) That, to me, is the mark of a strong character. I've never really related at all to male MCs, but Owen is definitely an exception. He's fantastic.

And that ending...THAT ENDING!! Totally came out of left field and blindsided me. I had NO IDEA *THAT* was even an option!!! *mind blown*

I really, really, really loved this book. This series has become a favorite, and it's one that I highly recommend. It's perfect for your teenage (older teenagers probably) reluctant readers, male or female. It's the kind of series that will suck them in and have them wanting MORE BOOKS. There's never anything wrong with that! Seriously, if you have a chance (and in a minute, I am going to give you one, so KEEP READING), pick this series up and READ IT RIGHT NOW.

It's 4.5 Eiffel Towers for me.



Content Advisory:
Language: Moderate
Violence: Heavyish
Sexuality: Moderate show less

At first I found Trina and her friends annoying but as their plan to "get Carlos" grows, the story becomes more substantial. The climax of the story is the plan's aftermath but more powerful is the depiction of Trina's palpable guilt and her constant battle with her conscience as the plan proceeds. An excellent read that vividly points out the consequences of one's actions.

I thought I would have to reread The Lost Code before diving into The Dark Shore, since it's been over a year since I read it, but I fell right back into the story. It picks up right where we left: Leech, Lilly, and Owen are flying away from EdenWest, woefully unprepared for the world outside the dome. I liked this book even better than the first, as the action started from the first page and there was a tension that ran through the entire book. I was never sure who could be trusted, and show more there were a few turns and twists that were entirely unexpected. More of the mystery surrounding the Atlanteans is revealed, but so many questions remain. Owen grows up quite a bit through the story, his thoughts and actions correspond more with an older teen, a 15 or 16 year old, rather than the 13 year old he seemed to be in the last book. Leech really shines in parts this story and is given a chance to develop more than just his bratty bully persona. Lilly also becomes more of a well-rounded, fully-developed character, which is nice to see. I'm more likely than ever to recommend this series to teens looking for an action-adventure series to read over the summer, especially if they've shown an interest in mythology, Atlantis, or dystopias. show less