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quillbot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
halcyone's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on The Cozy Armchair.
I don't even remember why I wanted to read this book or how I found out about it, just that I immediately requested it from my local library - in August 2010. It was labeled "on-order" for nearly a year, finally coming in a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, I was absolutely ecstatic when I was notified that this elusive title was finally making its way to my library. ABOUT TIME!
I'm happy to be able to say that this book was worth the wait. The setting sold this story to me. I love the ocean, so the concept of living underwater is fascinating to me, and I really enjoyed the look we got at this kind of post-apocalyptic world. You've got the Benthic Territory, where a number of families have set out to cultivate a living from the sea floor. Like any good sci-fi undersea western, you've got to have someone making things difficult for these hardworking people. Dark Life has the Seablite Gang, led by the mysterious and slightly terrifying Shade. Still, life under the sea is better than anything they got up there -
Haha, sorry, I couldn't help the reference. Seriously now, life under the sea was described in breathtaking visual imagery. It really is better than life on land, which is portrayed as being overcrowded and, well, dreary. I also want to give Falls major brownie points for badass technology. I mean, c'mon, subsea architecture, liquigen, manta boards? Everything sounds incredible.
Even better was the fast-paced, adventured-packed story. The unraveling of the mystery was very cool albeit a tad predictable at times but not so much that it detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I loved the characters, especially Ty, who provided a refreshing change from the string of female voices I'd encountered in my YA lit reading spree. The summary sorta gives away the "secret" about the Dark Gift(s), but it's still an interesting aspect to the story, one that I would like to see further explored in future books (yes, apparently this is book 1!).
The book ends nicely, no cliffhanger in sight. Yes, there are still some unanswered questions; yes, you will want to know more about this world. But, it's nice to finish a book with a sense of closure and the knowledge that the characters can still go on to have more adventures. Overall, this was an incredibly enjoyable read. I got through it super fast because, unfortunately, it is a short book, but don't let that turn you away from it. Within its pages is a view into a world that is beautiful and exciting (sometimes dangerously so). Definitely put this on your to-read list.
I don't even remember why I wanted to read this book or how I found out about it, just that I immediately requested it from my local library - in August 2010. It was labeled "on-order" for nearly a year, finally coming in a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, I was absolutely ecstatic when I was notified that this elusive title was finally making its way to my library. ABOUT TIME!
I'm happy to be able to say that this book was worth the wait. The setting sold this story to me. I love the ocean, so the concept of living underwater is fascinating to me, and I really enjoyed the look we got at this kind of post-apocalyptic world. You've got the Benthic Territory, where a number of families have set out to cultivate a living from the sea floor. Like any good sci-fi undersea western, you've got to have someone making things difficult for these hardworking people. Dark Life has the Seablite Gang, led by the mysterious and slightly terrifying Shade. Still, life under the sea is better than anything they got up there -
Haha, sorry, I couldn't help the reference. Seriously now, life under the sea was described in breathtaking visual imagery. It really is better than life on land, which is portrayed as being overcrowded and, well, dreary. I also want to give Falls major brownie points for badass technology. I mean, c'mon, subsea architecture, liquigen, manta boards? Everything sounds incredible.
Even better was the fast-paced, adventured-packed story. The unraveling of the mystery was very cool albeit a tad predictable at times but not so much that it detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I loved the characters, especially Ty, who provided a refreshing change from the string of female voices I'd encountered in my YA lit reading spree. The summary sorta gives away the "secret" about the Dark Gift(s), but it's still an interesting aspect to the story, one that I would like to see further explored in future books (yes, apparently this is book 1!).
The book ends nicely, no cliffhanger in sight. Yes, there are still some unanswered questions; yes, you will want to know more about this world. But, it's nice to finish a book with a sense of closure and the knowledge that the characters can still go on to have more adventures. Overall, this was an incredibly enjoyable read. I got through it super fast because, unfortunately, it is a short book, but don't let that turn you away from it. Within its pages is a view into a world that is beautiful and exciting (sometimes dangerously so). Definitely put this on your to-read list.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
4.0
Teenager Ty and his family are pioneers, but not the kind of pioneers you usually think of when you hear that word. While they do farm in a sparsely populated area, that area is not the Plains of the American West, but the ocean floor. Set in a future where global warming has limited the amount of dry land available, the government has encouraged settlement of the sea floor as a means of growing food and easing overcrowding on the surface. A girl from the mainland comes looking for her long-lost brother just as a band of outlaws threatens the survival of the colonies, making it harder for Ty to hide the secret talent he's developed under the sea.
This was a really exciting adventure story, but the unusual setting was what fascinated me most. The pioneer aspect of the story had me thinking of stories of the American Plains that I read as a kid. The underwater environment, however is very different than tall grass prairies and I also enjoyed learning about all the different creatures and how different living under the sea would be. The story was also solid. I see there's a sequel, but , while I really like the story, it didn't scream to me that it needed a sequel, so I think I'll pass on the rest of the series.
This is a good middle grade book for boys and girls that has some appeal to older kids as well. This feels like one of those crowd-pleasers that may not have people obsessed, but can appeal to just about everyone.
This was a really exciting adventure story, but the unusual setting was what fascinated me most. The pioneer aspect of the story had me thinking of stories of the American Plains that I read as a kid. The underwater environment, however is very different than tall grass prairies and I also enjoyed learning about all the different creatures and how different living under the sea would be. The story was also solid. I see there's a sequel, but , while I really like the story, it didn't scream to me that it needed a sequel, so I think I'll pass on the rest of the series.
This is a good middle grade book for boys and girls that has some appeal to older kids as well. This feels like one of those crowd-pleasers that may not have people obsessed, but can appeal to just about everyone.
sarahbowling6608's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
sofiaaeelizabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.0
keziahrose's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book; it was very young but I didn't mind that much. I liked the parallels to the old west and the high action content. It wasn't a genius book but it was some fun fluff.
rorystoryhour's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Fun middle-grade sci-fi that felt like the Subnautica video game.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this one! Cannot wait to read the next one.
Student Review:
The book Dark Life is a great book that everyone should read. Ty got into trouble that might effect his entire life. He was born underwater and he finds out that he is different... maybe special. This book is breathtaking, suspenseful, and dark. I recommend this book to anyone because it's an awesome book in many aspects and it keeps people on their toes as well as it creates tension. –Brad D., 8th grade 16-17
Student-Created Playlist for Dark Life:
Dun Dun Duuun - when Ty encounters Shade
Hallelujah chorus-When ty and Gemma kissed
Flipper theme song When they called for dolphins to take them to the sea floor
The twilight Zone- the lights turn off, when it's dark in general
Can't touch this- When Ty escape from Sade
Really enjoyed this one! Cannot wait to read the next one.
Student Review:
The book Dark Life is a great book that everyone should read. Ty got into trouble that might effect his entire life. He was born underwater and he finds out that he is different... maybe special. This book is breathtaking, suspenseful, and dark. I recommend this book to anyone because it's an awesome book in many aspects and it keeps people on their toes as well as it creates tension. –Brad D., 8th grade 16-17
Student-Created Playlist for Dark Life:
Dun Dun Duuun - when Ty encounters Shade
Hallelujah chorus-When ty and Gemma kissed
Flipper theme song When they called for dolphins to take them to the sea floor
The twilight Zone- the lights turn off, when it's dark in general
Can't touch this- When Ty escape from Sade
79lulu12's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0