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roseybot's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man, this concept is SO COOL. I will admit to dystopia fatigue, and space western fatigue, and basically a lot of fatigue that comes from reading the same setting over and over again, so this? This was such a relief. Like stepping into cold water.
There were some parts where the structure got away with the author. The end was ending after ending after ending, but all in all it was a thoroughly delightful book and such a new and fresh take on the world ending by disaster, with every word and action thought out, it was a pleasure to read.
There were some parts where the structure got away with the author. The end was ending after ending after ending, but all in all it was a thoroughly delightful book and such a new and fresh take on the world ending by disaster, with every word and action thought out, it was a pleasure to read.
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read. It was interesting to see a dystopian with an underwater view point. I've read a lot of YA dystopians, but I think this is the first I've come across that has this particular setting....miles beneath the surface of the ocean. It kept my interest and I'll most likely pick up the second book in the series.
One thing I would note is that this is definitely a younger read. Not elementary school, but possibly middle school. It's not on the level with Hunger Games or other popular YAs, it is just not that complex. High schoolers could still read and enjoy this, but it definitely felt like it was meant for a younger audience.
One thing I would note is that this is definitely a younger read. Not elementary school, but possibly middle school. It's not on the level with Hunger Games or other popular YAs, it is just not that complex. High schoolers could still read and enjoy this, but it definitely felt like it was meant for a younger audience.
morganvermillion's review against another edition
3.0
This book was recommended to me by a fifth grader, and it was a lot of fun. I wish there had been more world-building because lots of times I couldn't remotely picture the room or location the character was in. From a fifth grader's perspective, I'm sure it was just fine.
alaskastardust's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book many years ago and have thought about it periodically because the setting stayed with me so well. I decided to reread it to see if it held up (in my adult eyes) and it really has. The deep-sea setting is just as immersive as I remember it being, but I can now fully appreciate how tactfully this book tackles issues including othering/prejudice, medical trauma, and the long-term impacts of carceral solutions. Dark Life accomplishes all of this without ever feeling like a slog or like it’s too heavy. I couldn’t put it down, all these years later.
elixzyy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
ajaubrey1's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jessring's review against another edition
4.0
This is a pretty interesting YA novel. While it is very predictable and the writing is nothing mind-blowing, it captured my attention immediately and kept me reading.
The story is told by a 15 year old boy who is part of a homesteading community in the deep sea. Add into the mix a band of outlaws and a topside girl looking for someone and you have yourself a story.
It is a bit of adventure and a bit of sci-fi with a dash of teen angst thrown in. If you can look past some of the plot devices, the world in which Kat Falls has created is one that can fill your imagination. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick and light read.
The story is told by a 15 year old boy who is part of a homesteading community in the deep sea. Add into the mix a band of outlaws and a topside girl looking for someone and you have yourself a story.
It is a bit of adventure and a bit of sci-fi with a dash of teen angst thrown in. If you can look past some of the plot devices, the world in which Kat Falls has created is one that can fill your imagination. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick and light read.
rebelrider's review against another edition
5.0
Because of the sea rising, people are packed into cities on what remains of the land. Ty and his family are settlers who live on the ocean floor where they have a farm. When a school of carnivorous fish chases Ty onto a submarine, he meets a “Topsoiler” girl named Gemma who is looking for her brother. Before they can even leave the sub, they have a run-in with a band of outlaws called the SeaBlite gang. With the threat of the outlaws hanging over them, Ty’s parents start to think about moving out of the ocean, leaving everything Ty loves.
When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect it to be very good. For one thing, I’ve read a few books that were pretty preachy about global warming. I had also read another book about the oceans rising and it hadn’t been very good. When I started reading Dark Life, it didn’t take me long to realize I’d been wrong. The way the author described the ocean made me want to go to the ocean and dive in. Zoe, Ty’s little sister, was so realistic it seemed like she was going to jump out of the book. I could easily relate to Ty, who, like me, likes wide-open spaces rather than cities.
I appreciated the fact that the author kept the book pretty clean and didn’t bog it down with lots of bad language like some young adult books I’ve read.
Overall, it was a great book for all ages and there was a cool twist that made the ending really good.
When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect it to be very good. For one thing, I’ve read a few books that were pretty preachy about global warming. I had also read another book about the oceans rising and it hadn’t been very good. When I started reading Dark Life, it didn’t take me long to realize I’d been wrong. The way the author described the ocean made me want to go to the ocean and dive in. Zoe, Ty’s little sister, was so realistic it seemed like she was going to jump out of the book. I could easily relate to Ty, who, like me, likes wide-open spaces rather than cities.
I appreciated the fact that the author kept the book pretty clean and didn’t bog it down with lots of bad language like some young adult books I’ve read.
Overall, it was a great book for all ages and there was a cool twist that made the ending really good.
jessiek04's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not a teenager, so please consider my rating accordingly.