Dark Waters

The Last Dogs #2

by Christopher Holt, Jeff Sampson, Allen Douglas (Illustrations)

Having narrowly escaped a pack of vicious wolves, canine heroes Max, Rocky, and Gizmo are happy to find a moment of peace as they travel down the mighty river. Soon, the trio come across a lavish boat moored close to shore. They're wary of facing another community of dogs, but when they climb on board, they discover that things are different on this ship. These dogs aren't like the power-hungry ones they've encountered in the past. Food is plentiful and rationed fairly. Plus . . . they've seen humans, who Max, Rocky, and Gizmo thought had disappeared without a trace.

The brave companions meet new friends and encounter old enemies in their search for the humans while they travel to places they never imagined -- from a high-speed monorail to a zoo filled with exotic animals. Max, Rocky, and Gizmo uncover secrets that promise to change their lives forever as they draw closer to figuring out why the humans left and being reunited with their families.

The Last Dogs: Dark Waters is the second audiobook in a thrilling series about three unlikely friends on an epic quest to find their people -- and bring them home.

Genres: Animals, Middle Grade, Dogs, Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Science Fiction

Hardcover

First published June 11, 2013

Reviews

[Grace Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Keeley McJunkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Michelle Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this installment has a bit more action than the first book, it didn't hold my interest as much as the first one did (which I gave 3* to). Questions remained unanswered and Rocky going "hiya!" got even more annoying (it's not as funny and/or endearing as the author thinks; it's just cheesy).

[Emery Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars again (I had to deliberate between three and four much more than the last one, though)!

I really understand why I loved this series as a kid. I was beginning my dystopian phase and the concept for why all humans have fled is actually really good. Everything is tied together well (maybe a little conveniently, but it is a kid's book, and the intermittent darkness of it and the quality of the concept makes up for it). It's the kind of stuff that I read now, just more in depth/darker in books for older audiences

The dialogue is a little iffy sometimes, but, again, I'm a young adult reading a middle-grade book. I don't hold it to the same standards as I would another book

Again, I don't love the depiction of wolves in the story and I'm sorry but Rocky really gets on my nerves at times. He develops well over the whole series if I remember correctly, but in the beginning he is REALLY grating. At least he's stopped talking about kibble as much as he did in the last part. Improvement!

Overall, I would really recommend this series to any animal-loving kid who's looking for a new dog-centered series. My younger self would've probably given this book a four or five

[Kendal Bottenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides more facts that you need to know in order to understand the true reason of the disappearance of the humans. It gives a lot of detail and leaves you wondering why is this all happening. This book is great at providing the information behind the storyline and makes you want to know more.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter (10yo) read. "Just like the first one, a really good book! I was so excited when I was reading it. Who knew dogs could drive boats?! Max, Rocky, and Gizmo running from packs of wolves, looking for somewhere to hide when they find a river boat."

[Alia McClard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, cause it picked up what the last book ended, and I felt sad for boss when he died. I love when the dogs on the flower welcomed gizmo, rocky, and max on abroad, I was so shocked tha boss made one of the wolves go away without fighting him, I mean how did he do that?

[Natalie Wince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was a good starter for me- even tho I was off and on reading it. Emotional when the patches- the cat dies. And when the captain dies. But good for starters who want to read more, and are young. Fav book from this series.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cool yeah yeah

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

you need to read this book series a very good read. Max and his friends give humar and adventure to the story

[Worm of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me on the edge of my seat!

[Aiden wytcherley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books of all time, I highly recommend that you read this.
It has everything you need from a book.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, Rocky and Gizmo meet Boss who's the alpha of a group living on a riverboat.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Cindy]

Dark Waters

[Nikki Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series as a kid. It's perfect for dog lovers who also enjoy science-fiction.

[Kate Percival · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Holt has done it again. I love The Last Dogs! Just wow. I love this series! I read the first one and I was automatically hooked. Everything about the books, the suspense, the mystery, the action! It just all fits. All the humans are gone, and Max, and his friends want to find them and bring them back. At first, Max, a Labrador Retriever, finds himself in a boat. He, and two other dogs, Rocky and Gizmo, are in the boat with him, floating down a river. They find a big boat, that they believe has ghosts in it. They board the boat and see that the "ghosts" are actually dogs. They create new friends and stay on the boat for a while. But of course, something goes wrong. Can't tell. Thus starts the story. The problems all come at once, with the pack returning. Including Dolph. With few humans coming back and putting symbols on the wall... what does it all mean?

This adventure with three dogs and friends they meet along their way to try and find the humans, will hook you from the first word. Cliffhangers, suspense, mystery, and action, who could ask for a better book?

Can't wait to finish the series! Hope this review helped!

[Joachim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate how descriptive Christopher Holt is and admire his ability to truly open up the characters and setting in this sequel.

[Snapdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

.More reviews like this one on my blog Snapdragon Alcove
The journey continues. Max, Rocky, and Gizmo slowly flout down the river. Soon they come to a moored riverboat.
This is a great squeal. I like all the different zoo animals that are introduces and all the action handle nicely. About mid way through the book they discover why the humans left. It not a clear idea why. Instead your not waiting a whole nether book to find out. Keeping the story engaging.
Boss dying at the end repeated what happen in the first. Hopefully it not going repeat in the next book. Madam dying was heartbreaking. I like Boss but, that should be it. It will be ruined a toughing moment.

This is one the best squeals.

Note I going to rate the whole series in one review on my blog.

15/20 = 5 *stars*

[Jreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆3.5

I have a special place in my heart for this book, probably because it was the first time as a kid that I experienced my favorite fictional character dying. It was definitely a moving experience and got me hooked on this series.

To be honest, this re-read left me a little disappointed at said death scene because I remember it being a lot more dramatic than it was.
It was still a good installment in the series.

Praxis was an interesting bit of lore, I'd figured out the animals were diseased a quarter into this book after putting together clues from the first book as well.
I liked the side characters, overall this book felt more stationary since they traveled around to different villages a lot in the first book but this one holds up.

I think I could've done with a little more at the climax of the book.
Other than that it was a good book

☆3.5 ▪︎ 325 pages

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in this series. Max and his scrappy pals, Gizmo and Rocky, continue on their journey to find their people. This part of their adventure takes them to a riverboat with dogs that have made a community. Their alpha dog, Boss, agrees to help Max and his friends continue on their journey looking for answers. The dogs end up at the local zoo which provides insight to the mysterious symbol that keeps popping up everywhere. The symbol Madame Curie, Max's friend, told him would lead him to the answers.

This installment provides answers for why the humans are gone. And now Max has a clear idea of what he and his friends should do next.

I look forward to the rest of this series.

[Foxsay123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried so hard when boss died

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Last Dogs series picks up where the first left off. Max, Rocky, and Gizmo are floating down the river, following Madame's directions to go to the ocean to find the people. After several days they come upon a riverboat casino stuck in sandbar. They find another pack of dogs, but fortunately this one is friendly. After seeing the symbol of the three linked circles, Max, Rocky, and Gizmo set off to investigate. There are finally some answers in this book as to what happened and why the people all disappeared. I am looking forward to more answers in the next book. Recommended for grades 4-7.

[༺Kiki༻ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:

✱ Pax
✱ Dogs of the Drowned City series
✱ Survivors series
✱ Foxcraft series
✱ Wild Ones series

[Darkened Warrior {Stare into your Nightmare} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some spoiler alerts so... Watch out


My fav. Character Boss, dies. O MY GOSH!!!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!! ALL MY FAV. CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS ALWAYS DIE!!!!! FINNICK FROM HINGER GAMES, SIRIUS FROM HARRY POTTER, HOLLYLEAF FROM WARRIORS, AND NOW BOSS!!!!!!! I don't even like the other characters! Max is... Uhhhh..... Rocky is an idiot, Gizmo is to hyper and laughable, and Gertrude... DO NOT get me started on Geetrude!

[Isabella Minatra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book four stars because, it had action, adventure, and mystery. The book is about three dogs, Max, Rocky, and Gizmo, trying to find the humans. One day all the humans just disappeared. Madam said to fallow the river to the ocean. Max promised to protect his friends, but with all wolves around it's hard. So if you like animals, mystery, adventure, action, and suspense I recommend you read the first book,"The Vanishing."

[Twyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Rocky, Gizmo, and Max found the riverboat and were welcomed aboard by a friendly leader that was completely different from the Chairman and more like Max. My least favorite part was when Boss died, and the riverboat burned and sank all because of some mean humans who wanted to steal money off the boat, and because of Dolph's pack, who followed the three dogs so far. I really did not understand Gertrude at all.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

April 2022 This is a fun series. I'm not enjoying it quite as much as the first time, however many years ago that was, and maybe also not as much as the second time (I've read this three times now??), but I still enjoyed it. I like the story idea and I like the characters and such, but it doesn't have a whole lot of reread-often quality in my opinion.

[Ellie Ackerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Dogs Series is a thriller! If you don't like talking animals, then move on. This book is the second in the series, Dark Waters. It's about a Golden Retriever named Max, a Dachshund named Rocky, and a Yorkie named Gizmo, who go on a mysterious adventure to find their owners, (Or pack leaders) after they have gone missing. Great book!