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A review by atjelea
Dark Eden by Chris Beckett
4.0
***I received an ARC from a Goodreads Giveaway***
I don't often read Science Fiction, but I found the premise of this book intriguing. A harsh planet with no sun, no modern technology and a small human population (one which was limited by a small gene pool and the resulting genetic mutations such as club foot and cleft lip). Food was scarce and supplies were limited due to The Family's rules. They lived with the distant hope that someday, if they remained in one area, people from Earth would come to rescue them (the original founders of this group were a man and woman from Earth who had crash landed on this unknown planet). For generations, this was the credo of the group. No one questioned or deviated from the rules...that is until John Redlantern developed a vision of a different life on Eden. His vision included journeying across the yet unexplored areas of the planet to try and find more plentiful food sources and supplies. He was ridiculed and shunned for his ambition. Knowing that change would not come without a drastic occurrence happening, John destroyed a piece of history that was central to the family. This precipitated a series of events that led to groups breaking off from the central Family. Now there were new ideas being formed and acted upon (animals were domesticated to help carry supplies and light the way...these animals had built in light sources. Clothing was developed to help withstand the harsh elements etc.). This rift in the family also opened it up to new leadership and men who at one time had no say in the matters of the Family were now advocating violence and dictatorship. These men had their own agendas and were looking to destroy rather than create. This is a book that illustrates both the strengths and weaknesses of the human race. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this author!
I don't often read Science Fiction, but I found the premise of this book intriguing. A harsh planet with no sun, no modern technology and a small human population (one which was limited by a small gene pool and the resulting genetic mutations such as club foot and cleft lip). Food was scarce and supplies were limited due to The Family's rules. They lived with the distant hope that someday, if they remained in one area, people from Earth would come to rescue them (the original founders of this group were a man and woman from Earth who had crash landed on this unknown planet). For generations, this was the credo of the group. No one questioned or deviated from the rules...that is until John Redlantern developed a vision of a different life on Eden. His vision included journeying across the yet unexplored areas of the planet to try and find more plentiful food sources and supplies. He was ridiculed and shunned for his ambition. Knowing that change would not come without a drastic occurrence happening, John destroyed a piece of history that was central to the family. This precipitated a series of events that led to groups breaking off from the central Family. Now there were new ideas being formed and acted upon (animals were domesticated to help carry supplies and light the way...these animals had built in light sources. Clothing was developed to help withstand the harsh elements etc.). This rift in the family also opened it up to new leadership and men who at one time had no say in the matters of the Family were now advocating violence and dictatorship. These men had their own agendas and were looking to destroy rather than create. This is a book that illustrates both the strengths and weaknesses of the human race. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to read more from this author!