Book Review: Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Publish Date: November 1, 2011

Hardcover, 336 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult
 ISBN: 978-0062009708

My Review:
Dark Eden captured and held my attention from the first page until the very last. I was deeply invested in what was going in with Will Besting and the other 6 teenagers who went to Fort Eden with him. I didn't view any of the app things so that might would have improved my experience. I think that was part of the whole experience, but with the ARC I wasn't sure what to view when (I'm not very app savvy I will admit). Ignoring the app part, and just focusing on the book, as I said the book engaged me and there were definitely surprises around several turns in the book, but somehow the book just did not live up to it's hype for me. And I think it's just a personal thing because I know several reviewers have raved about this one. I think I went in expecting a little more. There was just something missing in the story for me and I can't quite put my hands on what it was. It seems like the plot was missing something.

I liked the characters, they were varied, but except for Will and Marisa, you really didn't get to know any of the rest of them. This is because the book is told from Will's point-of-view and because it is told this way and the nature of how the story takes place it is hard to get to know the other characters.

One thing I really liked was the suspense of finding out each characters' fears. That was fascinating and well done, so the book was definitely worth my time to read, it just wasn't one of my personal stellar reads of the year.  
My Rating: 3.5/5.0


Anyone else have some other opinions, maybe clue me in to something I missed?  Tell me about it in the comments or email me (crystalfulcher (at) ec.rr.com). Please link in the comments if you have a review of this book. I like to link up other reviews if I have a so-so review of a book because I know it's just my opinion.

About the Book:

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.


About the Author: 
Patrick Carman is the New York Times bestselling author of such acclaimed series as the Land of Elyon and Atherton and the teen superhero novel Thirteen Days to Midnight. A multimedia pioneer, Patrick authored The Black Circle, the fifth title in the 39 Clues series, and the groundbreaking Skeleton Creek and Trackers books. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington, with his family.

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FTC Information: I received this book through the Amazon Vine program for an honest review.