Reviews

Dark Life by Kat Falls

jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition

4.0

This is a story is about characters. It’s about kids who want to be normal but who are different. So it has an X-men sort of spin, especially in the ‘weath’s interest in studying these children. The setting actually feels very frontier-like in the way the society has developed (despite the fact it’s under the sea). The story does not focus on the cool technologies and the way this undersea society functions either, everything is a sidebar to the characters who are learning and growing with each page turned. I think that is what makes this book special. As a reader, you do not get fixated on the surroundings. The focus is always on Ty and Gemma and what their motivations are. I was impressed by the story. The reader never feels out of place in the world or set apart from the characters despite the otherworldly circumstances and technologies. The pacing is perfect. Each chapter left you in suspense for the next one. One mystery seems to reveal another, and the plot unfolds very smoothly between the multiple layers Falls has built up. Every piece is there from the beginning, but Falls weaves it creatively and surprisingly together.

tcbueti's review against another edition

5.0

This one kept me from reading other stuff I should have been tackling. Vivid creation of an undersea frontier and its inhabitants, including settlers, outlaws, rangers -- and kids who may have "dark gifts": supernatural skills and traits due to growing up undersea. Ty, 15, resents "Topsiders" gawking at him for his glowing skin, gotten from eating bioluminescent fish. But is he hiding other differences? When he tries to help topside runaway Gemma find her missing undersea prospector brother, they venture into the undersea criminal world.

I could SEE so much of this while I was reading: you can tell that this debut author teaches screenwriting. Her world is so detailed, so fully imagined, (including the politics and social issues) that I hesitated over assigning this to "fantasy"! Lots to discuss about "normal" v "special" ("abnormal"?), family ties, crime and society, medical research and ethics, and the environment. Non-stop action and suspense, a fair amount of straightforward good guy/bad guy violence, a little romance. Ty is a very appealing hero, lots of layers. Really enjoyed this one. Note: this is YA like Alex Rider: "clean" violence, teen protagonist. Older tweens would be fine.

thehmkane's review against another edition

4.0

This book is a fast-paced, exciting adventure. Global warming has swallowed much of the world's coastline, and with space at a premium, humans have begun to colonize the ocean floor. Falls paints a gorgeous vision of the undersea frontier, but like the Wild West, deep-sea life is not without its dangers, animal AND human. Moreover, kids who live underwater, like our protagonist, Ty, seen to develop unique abilities. For fans of Percy Jackson and superheroes.

tbwhite23's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

repunzee's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

nerfherder86's review against another edition

4.0

Action-packed undersea adventure set in a future where there are colonies under the ocean. 15 year old Ty has lived his whole life as a "settler" there, with his scientist parents and younger sister. Then a "Topside" orphan, Gemma, also 15, arrives in the colony, looking for her older brother, and the action commences. Ty is suspicious of topsiders but wants to help Gemma. They get caught up in the politics of miners and settlers and topsiders alike. There's danger and intrigue, and cool undersea monsters and perils.

heykellyjensen's review against another edition

3.0

The writing is impeccable, but the story did not work for me much. I thought the pacing was strange, and I never got enough character development. It took me a few chapters to figure out Ty was a male. That's not necessarily a problem in and of itself, but it kind of set the tone for the whole book for me. I mostly skimmed the last 1/4 or so since I couldn't connect as a reader. This will DEFINITELY have fans and appeal. Full review: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/field-notes-dark-life-by-kat-falls.html

yen17's review against another edition

4.0

How very sci fi

ecbennettlibrarylover's review against another edition

4.0

It was good. It might be offensive in some places if you are a real hard-core puritan, but I am Christian and the parts about religion weren't too bad. It's only offensive if you're a hard-core conservative. But, no matter what, the book was very great and well written. There where a few parts that got cheesy but for the most part, it was amazing.

lisacarr3's review against another edition

3.0

Ty is a teenage boy who was born and raised on the sea floor, and he's developed some unique abilities, which he keeps secret at all costs. While exploring a deserted submarine, he finds a girl named Gemma who ran away from the topside to find her brother.

I loved the opening because we got into action at once in the middle of a world that we gradually got introduced to. I really like the character, Ty, because he's the kind of kid I expect to be doing all the exciting things he does in this novel. Gemma was tough and bold and went for what she wanted, regardless of the costs.

I also like that the book is told from Ty’s point of view. With surprising sea creatures, vivid descriptions, and believable technologies to make undersea life feasible it was a fun read.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.