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The Nightworld
Scraping by in classes, hanging out with his best friend Charlie, and trying to get a date with Lara Hanover, the prettiest girl in school—that was Nick Robbins’ life.
Survival was the last thing on his mind.
Then, a strange cloud appeared over the city. A cloud that kept growing. The darkness on the horizon consumed the light around it. And Nick’s dad, a Department of Defense energy physicist, might have something to do with it. Soon, it became clear that the world Nick knew would never be the same.
Now, night is never-ending. The temperature is falling as heat leaves the world. Plants and animals are dying and people are turning into predators waiting for any small advantage. But Nick is determined not to disappear like the fading light. Desperate to glimpse a familiar face in the shadows, Nick races to find his friends—and the one clue that’s his glimmer of hope.
Survival was the last thing on his mind.
Then, a strange cloud appeared over the city. A cloud that kept growing. The darkness on the horizon consumed the light around it. And Nick’s dad, a Department of Defense energy physicist, might have something to do with it. Soon, it became clear that the world Nick knew would never be the same.
Now, night is never-ending. The temperature is falling as heat leaves the world. Plants and animals are dying and people are turning into predators waiting for any small advantage. But Nick is determined not to disappear like the fading light. Desperate to glimpse a familiar face in the shadows, Nick races to find his friends—and the one clue that’s his glimmer of hope.
234 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2011
6 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Jack Blaine
4 books22 followersJack Blaine likes to write novels that put good people into horrible situations.
Just to see what theydo.
Just to see what theydo.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 19, 2012
The Nightworld
by Jack Blaine
HarperCollins
4 Scribbles
Nick’s senior year starts looking up the moment stunning Lara Hanover invites him to her summer kickoff party. If all goes as planned, Nick will not be doomed to spend as much time alone as he has since his mother died and his dad went underground to his “off-limits” basement where work on a government project engages him around the clock. Yes, hooking up with Lara might make everything right in Nick’s world. But when the world outside changes and a mysterious storm engulfs the sky, everything turns to night. Danger, panic and chaos reign and suddenly, Nick can no longer see what lies ahead.
Young adults are no strangers to apocalyptic narratives, yet this novel offers a new approach to the genre. Far from being permanently destroyed, there may be salvation for the human race and for the skies above, and Nick may hold it in his hands. Who better than Nick? Nick’s character is old-school gentleman meets teenaged boy. Nick sticks by his best friend, Charlie, even when it means possible alienation from others, he wants to rescue his damsel in distress, Lara, he continues to see the best in others, even after he has proof that the human race is in self-destruct, and oh—he rescues a dog. Throughout the increasingly violent events in the story, Nick manages to maintain his sense of morality and optimism. Hand in hand with Lara, who turns out to be stunning and humble, Nick continues to move stoically forward searching for a place he thinks is safe and trying desperately to figure out his father’s scientific device that may bring light back to the world. The reader will dismiss more convenient plot turns, like sweet old man Gus’s appearance and the gift of Gus’s “bike” because the remainder of the story is true to reality—tough times call for tough choices and measures—and Nick makes those calls the way they should be made time and time again without sacrificing his character. The author might have placed more emphasis on the impact of darkness on the environment and the characters; as the novel stands there is a hint of the darkness, but the tremendous action and repeated encounters with others make it seem less of a “Nightworld” than a “Duskworld.” Otherwise, readers of books like Ashfall by Mike Mullin and The Last Survivors Series by Susan Beth Pfeffer, will devour this book.
by Jack Blaine
HarperCollins
4 Scribbles
Nick’s senior year starts looking up the moment stunning Lara Hanover invites him to her summer kickoff party. If all goes as planned, Nick will not be doomed to spend as much time alone as he has since his mother died and his dad went underground to his “off-limits” basement where work on a government project engages him around the clock. Yes, hooking up with Lara might make everything right in Nick’s world. But when the world outside changes and a mysterious storm engulfs the sky, everything turns to night. Danger, panic and chaos reign and suddenly, Nick can no longer see what lies ahead.
Young adults are no strangers to apocalyptic narratives, yet this novel offers a new approach to the genre. Far from being permanently destroyed, there may be salvation for the human race and for the skies above, and Nick may hold it in his hands. Who better than Nick? Nick’s character is old-school gentleman meets teenaged boy. Nick sticks by his best friend, Charlie, even when it means possible alienation from others, he wants to rescue his damsel in distress, Lara, he continues to see the best in others, even after he has proof that the human race is in self-destruct, and oh—he rescues a dog. Throughout the increasingly violent events in the story, Nick manages to maintain his sense of morality and optimism. Hand in hand with Lara, who turns out to be stunning and humble, Nick continues to move stoically forward searching for a place he thinks is safe and trying desperately to figure out his father’s scientific device that may bring light back to the world. The reader will dismiss more convenient plot turns, like sweet old man Gus’s appearance and the gift of Gus’s “bike” because the remainder of the story is true to reality—tough times call for tough choices and measures—and Nick makes those calls the way they should be made time and time again without sacrificing his character. The author might have placed more emphasis on the impact of darkness on the environment and the characters; as the novel stands there is a hint of the darkness, but the tremendous action and repeated encounters with others make it seem less of a “Nightworld” than a “Duskworld.” Otherwise, readers of books like Ashfall by Mike Mullin and The Last Survivors Series by Susan Beth Pfeffer, will devour this book.
April 8, 2012
This book is surprisingly good. At first when I started it I wasn't sure I would like it. But soon it came down to scientist, experiments, conspiracy theory, and a world left in darkness and chaos.
What I adored most about this book is the great plot line. At first, things went slow but the build up to a darkness exploding left my mind reeling. I loved that with a new chapter, this darkness took me by surprise. In an instant, I intrigued and hooked with new rules that came upon me.
The love interest in the book is another element that went a completely different direction than what I thought it was going. Really, I thought it be some one date and be done for, but they way it bloomed within the darkness really kept me on my toes. I loved that during this new nightworld, they took comfort in each other. They help each other out in rather difficult situations and even fell in love. It was like they saw each other differently and had a whole new perspective of things.
The Nightworld is an intensely fast world that darkens right before the readers eyes. The terror of darkness fall on the earth as people run in chaos gives the reader a run for their life. The Nightworld is a great read.
What I adored most about this book is the great plot line. At first, things went slow but the build up to a darkness exploding left my mind reeling. I loved that with a new chapter, this darkness took me by surprise. In an instant, I intrigued and hooked with new rules that came upon me.
The love interest in the book is another element that went a completely different direction than what I thought it was going. Really, I thought it be some one date and be done for, but they way it bloomed within the darkness really kept me on my toes. I loved that during this new nightworld, they took comfort in each other. They help each other out in rather difficult situations and even fell in love. It was like they saw each other differently and had a whole new perspective of things.
The Nightworld is an intensely fast world that darkens right before the readers eyes. The terror of darkness fall on the earth as people run in chaos gives the reader a run for their life. The Nightworld is a great read.
December 1, 2011
This, right here...was an awesome story! I loved Nick and Lara! What they had to go through and witness after the darkness was downright scary! I highly recommend this book!! And if you haven't yet, check out HELPER12! (4.5 stars)
December 10, 2012
I didn't think I'd like a novel based on a video game quite so much! This one had everything in it that I like in my post-apocalyptic fiction: Life Before, a clear explanation of What Went Wrong, and characters that seem up to the task of Carrying On. Ok , so we were a little shy on that last. Still, a ripping yarn.
February 4, 2015
This was a book I picked up from a bookstore for a couple dollars, and had no expectations for it. I'm glad I got it, because I did enjoy it. It was short and engaging, and I actually ended up reading it all pretty much in one sitting. There were plot holes and the ending was not what I was expecting. But overall, an interesting read with good characters.
June 3, 2012
3.5
Going into the story I couldn't help but be reminded of some of the post-apocalyptic novels I have read recently, such as Ashfall by Mike Mullen and Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts.
This book was not quite as long or intense as those reads, but I definitely got the same kind of vibe. A boy who's father hides him in a closet when he fears a group of people are coming for him, witnesses his fathers death. Before shooting him they ask for a device, which he refuses to help them find. In a panic he decides to go to his friends abandoned house to hide out until things cool down some. There has just been a recent event that has caused a dark cloud to hang over the city, several people have left and murders and stealing has run rampant. When he starts to run out of food he decides it's time to move on and find different shelter and food. He also gains a companion, a dog.
There is the mystery of the black cloud, the device and what his father was doing that caused the men to come after him. It seems that the device the men were looking for maybe something Nick can get his hands on and save the world.
There is a romance and Nick makes both friends and enemies as he tries to figure out what is going on.
It is a pretty interesting and sometimes intense read, not anything that would give you nightmares, it does have a cliffhanger ending though and I anticipate a lot of action and activity going on in book 2.
Going into the story I couldn't help but be reminded of some of the post-apocalyptic novels I have read recently, such as Ashfall by Mike Mullen and Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts.
This book was not quite as long or intense as those reads, but I definitely got the same kind of vibe. A boy who's father hides him in a closet when he fears a group of people are coming for him, witnesses his fathers death. Before shooting him they ask for a device, which he refuses to help them find. In a panic he decides to go to his friends abandoned house to hide out until things cool down some. There has just been a recent event that has caused a dark cloud to hang over the city, several people have left and murders and stealing has run rampant. When he starts to run out of food he decides it's time to move on and find different shelter and food. He also gains a companion, a dog.
There is the mystery of the black cloud, the device and what his father was doing that caused the men to come after him. It seems that the device the men were looking for maybe something Nick can get his hands on and save the world.
There is a romance and Nick makes both friends and enemies as he tries to figure out what is going on.
It is a pretty interesting and sometimes intense read, not anything that would give you nightmares, it does have a cliffhanger ending though and I anticipate a lot of action and activity going on in book 2.
May 21, 2019
There's gold in these hills, but Jack Blaine falls to unearth it.
The premise is solid and interesting. The characters and their motivations are boring. I understand the protagonist is a teen, but he's exceptionally worse than the majority of teen protagonists in his genre. Even for the year this book was written, it's bad. The novel pre-Darkness seems like just a collection of buzzwords intended to relate to the Youths of 2012, shoe-horned into the writing to remind you again and again that the protagonist is a Relatable Teen. the protagonist, as mentioned before, is incredibly unlikable, and though self-aware of his sexism seems to do little to fight against it.
200 pages into the book, I was ready to give it two stars because it seemed the plot was actually going somewhere - but then he left Tank behind. Though there was a fairy-tale reunion, it wasn't because Nick wanted that to happen - it was by pure happenstance.
If it wasn't for Morton and Nadine, I'd give this book a 0/5.
The premise is solid and interesting. The characters and their motivations are boring. I understand the protagonist is a teen, but he's exceptionally worse than the majority of teen protagonists in his genre. Even for the year this book was written, it's bad. The novel pre-Darkness seems like just a collection of buzzwords intended to relate to the Youths of 2012, shoe-horned into the writing to remind you again and again that the protagonist is a Relatable Teen. the protagonist, as mentioned before, is incredibly unlikable, and though self-aware of his sexism seems to do little to fight against it.
200 pages into the book, I was ready to give it two stars because it seemed the plot was actually going somewhere - but then he left Tank behind. Though there was a fairy-tale reunion, it wasn't because Nick wanted that to happen - it was by pure happenstance.
If it wasn't for Morton and Nadine, I'd give this book a 0/5.
July 16, 2024
Such a good book that I read a Long time ago when I was in high school just to kill some free hours. I felt really good reading it back in the day because I almost didnt give it a try. I lost it several months later and forgot how it was called. Lucky for me I was searching on my things and the title was written on a piece of paper. Thanks my past self for that! About the book... I guess I won't see it again.
August 13, 2019
I read this book all in one sitting. It was incredible. The view on the world and how quickly it could descend into chaos. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. A thought provoking story that didn't let me put it down. I thought the ending was done great.
April 15, 2015
I finished this book which is the only reason I'm giving it 3 stars at all. Clearly it kept me interested enough to finish but not much more than that.
Nick, average high school student with the miraculous good fortune of having the "hottest girl in school" suddenly declare her interest in him (right before the apocalypse), was not terribly interesting to read about and honestly more often than not he was too stupid to live. I'm really not sure how he didn't get killed a couple times over in the course of the book.
I get that they wanted to parallel Lord of the Flies. That doesn't mean you need to write the entire world losing its mind in the space of a few days. It was too fast to feel believable or to have any kind of emotional impact. In fact, MOST of the book had no real emotional impact. Things happen. I understand they're meant to be sad or disturbing. But it's hard to care about any of these things, especially when the characters react so bizarrely. *cough that guy with his cat cough*
This is basically the story of Nick going to a bunch of places and having things happen around him NOW NEW AND IMPROVED with an ending cut and pasted from a completely different book. That's what it felt like anyway. The pieces didn't fit together at all.
Still, I read the whole book (thank you, library, for allowing me to do so for free). It was a quick read that didn't tax my brain. Actually it was generally better if I didn't use my brain too much while reading. It was more enjoyable that way.
Nick, average high school student with the miraculous good fortune of having the "hottest girl in school" suddenly declare her interest in him (right before the apocalypse), was not terribly interesting to read about and honestly more often than not he was too stupid to live. I'm really not sure how he didn't get killed a couple times over in the course of the book.
I get that they wanted to parallel Lord of the Flies. That doesn't mean you need to write the entire world losing its mind in the space of a few days. It was too fast to feel believable or to have any kind of emotional impact. In fact, MOST of the book had no real emotional impact. Things happen. I understand they're meant to be sad or disturbing. But it's hard to care about any of these things, especially when the characters react so bizarrely. *cough that guy with his cat cough*
This is basically the story of Nick going to a bunch of places and having things happen around him NOW NEW AND IMPROVED with an ending cut and pasted from a completely different book. That's what it felt like anyway. The pieces didn't fit together at all.
Still, I read the whole book (thank you, library, for allowing me to do so for free). It was a quick read that didn't tax my brain. Actually it was generally better if I didn't use my brain too much while reading. It was more enjoyable that way.
October 4, 2012
TL;DR version: Characters are nice, but plot would be nicer if it wasn't crammed in two paragraph chunks between teenage love. Too rushed.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. If you've read a dystopian novel in the past year or two, you've read The Nightworld. It doesn't do a whole lot out of its' genre. I think the lead character is probably what made me give this a 3 instead of a 2.
I thought that the male protagonist and POV was a little refreshing since a lot of these are female POVs- and I'm glad that Nick wasn't a pompous asshole. I confess since Twilight's Edward I've been seeing all the male characters in a lot of YAs as codependent stalkers (which is incredibly disheartening - I know we like strong female leads, but that doesn't mean we have to play all the dudes as jerks and creepers!), and NICK IS NOT ONE OF THOSE!
I think the writer should have put more emphasis on what a world without sunlight is like instead of not-so-cool guy ends up with chick-of-his-dreams in a world gone wrong. Had he done so, I think it really would have made this novel stand out among other dystopians. Instead, for every paragraph of real action, there's ten pages of fluff dialogue. It's not a bad little read- quick and easy and fun- but not very memorable.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. If you've read a dystopian novel in the past year or two, you've read The Nightworld. It doesn't do a whole lot out of its' genre. I think the lead character is probably what made me give this a 3 instead of a 2.
I thought that the male protagonist and POV was a little refreshing since a lot of these are female POVs- and I'm glad that Nick wasn't a pompous asshole. I confess since Twilight's Edward I've been seeing all the male characters in a lot of YAs as codependent stalkers (which is incredibly disheartening - I know we like strong female leads, but that doesn't mean we have to play all the dudes as jerks and creepers!), and NICK IS NOT ONE OF THOSE!
I think the writer should have put more emphasis on what a world without sunlight is like instead of not-so-cool guy ends up with chick-of-his-dreams in a world gone wrong. Had he done so, I think it really would have made this novel stand out among other dystopians. Instead, for every paragraph of real action, there's ten pages of fluff dialogue. It's not a bad little read- quick and easy and fun- but not very memorable.
February 12, 2017
quick, decent read. Dollar Store book
August 31, 2012
Overall: Meh. Nothing great. Nothing awful. The writing is tolerable and the premise has some interesting parts to it, but it's clearly meant to appeal to readers who love I Am Number 4 and plot-heavy dystopian reads. The male PoV was a nice change of pace. The romance was predictable and generic but balanced, which it rarely is in male PoVs. My biggest issue was that the pacing was so break-neck that the author did nothing to expand on the characters or the world building. This is the kind of book you give to an introductory reader - one who needs a basic plot and high pacing, one who doesn't care so much about deeper threads between the characters. It's not very memorable, but I didn't hate it and might read the sequel (if there is one someday) if it's longer and promises to develop things reasonably.
February 27, 2013
Nick is just a normal kid. It's the last day of school and he is ready to relax. He gets handed "The Lord of the Flies" to read for summer reading as he's walking out of school. Nick's dad is a scientist for the Department of Defense who is working on a project in their basement. When a cloud starts growing, blocking out all the light, Nick realizes something is terribly wrong. When people break into their house he realizes he has to run.
The back of the book says that this is inspired by The Nightworld video game and it reads like a video game. The back story is quick and not very believable. The main part of the book is Nick traveling. Ashfall by Mike Mullin is more believable and has better character development. If you play the video game or want a quick light read this book would be okay.
The back of the book says that this is inspired by The Nightworld video game and it reads like a video game. The back story is quick and not very believable. The main part of the book is Nick traveling. Ashfall by Mike Mullin is more believable and has better character development. If you play the video game or want a quick light read this book would be okay.
April 20, 2012
I don't know who "Full Fathom Five, Inc" (the copyright holder) is, but it sounds like a book packager. I don't like the idea of packagers - makes the books seem more written for business rather than for the love of the story. Thus the stories themselves are often a bit shallow.
Such is the case with The Nightworld. We barely get any details on the interesting stuff (Higgs particles, darkness all the time, the Optimus Prime device, a virus), and instead just get a run-of-the-mill thriller that tries to appeal to the Life As We Knew It crowd, but lacks the depth. It's very short, so your male teen should speed through it, and the ending is a cliff-hanger, spelling sequel-bait. It's a fun read, but I really wanted more details on the interesting stuff.
Such is the case with The Nightworld. We barely get any details on the interesting stuff (Higgs particles, darkness all the time, the Optimus Prime device, a virus), and instead just get a run-of-the-mill thriller that tries to appeal to the Life As We Knew It crowd, but lacks the depth. It's very short, so your male teen should speed through it, and the ending is a cliff-hanger, spelling sequel-bait. It's a fun read, but I really wanted more details on the interesting stuff.
January 16, 2016
This book was pretty good. A nice shot, fast read. I finished it within a day, more like less than 6 hours. It reminded me of Ashfall and Life As We Knew It. Mostly because of the darkness and cold weather that the cloud brought. The plot was also pretty good, I’m just disappointed that they didn’t get into the science stuff very much. Nick seems like a cool character, and him and Lara are a great team. I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel.
The book was written in 1st person present tense, which made the action flow better, rather than feel like a diary.
Cover Art Review: I love the title, but the cover itself isn’t that interesting. Would have been better in metallic.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
The book was written in 1st person present tense, which made the action flow better, rather than feel like a diary.
Cover Art Review: I love the title, but the cover itself isn’t that interesting. Would have been better in metallic.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
September 23, 2013
This book was a bit slow paced for me. I mean, a lot happened, but it was just... not realistic?
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling the boy finally gets perfect girl, world ends, boy risks life to check on girl, boy and girl travel together across three states, while being hunted (DUH!) and and blah blah blah.
I wanted to like this book more. I do have to say, every time any one of the characters went outside, I got all angst-y and nervous, so that was nice. Other than that, the book didn't really suck me in that much.
Also, apparently this is a first book in a series of some sort? That would have been nice to know before picking it up as a stand alone...
Truth be told, I probably will not re read this book.
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling the boy finally gets perfect girl, world ends, boy risks life to check on girl, boy and girl travel together across three states, while being hunted (DUH!) and and blah blah blah.
I wanted to like this book more. I do have to say, every time any one of the characters went outside, I got all angst-y and nervous, so that was nice. Other than that, the book didn't really suck me in that much.
Also, apparently this is a first book in a series of some sort? That would have been nice to know before picking it up as a stand alone...
Truth be told, I probably will not re read this book.
December 17, 2014
This book surprised me when i picked it up because i didn't think i would actually like it. So I got it anyway because the moment i started reading it i couldn't put it down. It was about a 17 year old going into his senior year that wasn't even gonna happen because the world changed. He was out on his own trying to find the girl he liked making sure she was safe and sound. There were strange people that had killed his father and he didn't know what to do. So this book gets 5 stars because that is all i can give it. This book will keep you on the end of your seat till the book is finished.
April 6, 2013
I liked the book for the most part, but I thought it pretty stupid that Nick didn't put the car in the garage. I mean, the guys with the walkie-talkies were looking for him and would know the vehicle and license plate and the car had all of his supplies in it. I don't think anybody would make that mistake and Gus would have told him to bring the car into the garage. Then, not to have the cube in bed with him after he knew that Zeke wanted it to get his sister back - come on. Nobody would be that stupid. Other than those two really dumb things, I thought the book was pretty good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2013
Oh my gods.
Who would have thought a book based off a videogame would be this good.
This book was a thrill to read because of the whole "enternal darkness" idea. I loved how we were showed the effects of people left in this world.
Who would have thought a book based off a videogame would be this good.
This book was a thrill to read because of the whole "enternal darkness" idea. I loved how we were showed the effects of people left in this world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2014
This was actually a very good read but got boring at times. The plot at first was very well but as the middle came, it started to slow. Also, I didn't get the 'spoon' reference. I was confused on what that was but I did enjoy Lara's and nick relationship.
4 out 5
4 out 5
October 6, 2014
I did not understand the end <<<
Read
March 14, 2012I was sent this book to review for School Library Journal. I just started it.
Read
July 13, 2012Pretty good premise.
August 11, 2012
i absolutely love this book. it is amazing.
August 17, 2012
It was okay. I just thought there shouldve been more to it.
August 27, 2012
Grades 8 and up - for fans of video games and dystopias. Based on Nightworld game.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
lost-interest
July 29, 2016
January 22, 2017
What a scary thought. Unfortunately, I see this as a distinct possibility more and more every day.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews