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The Atlanteans #2
The Dark Shore
BEWARE THE GODS AND THEIR HORRORS.
Owen and Lilly have escaped Camp Eden, but the next step on their journey to find Atlantis and protect it from Paul and Project Elysium involves crossing the perilous wastelands of a wrecked planet. And unlike in EdenWest, where bloody truths were kept hidden beneath the surface, out here the horrors live bright beneath the poisonous sun.
With treachery at every turn, Owen has no choice but to bring his wounded clan to the dark shores of Desenna, a city built from the ashes of EdenSouth. Desenna's blood-soaked walls may hold the key to Owen's journey in the form of the third Atlantean as well as a deeper understanding of the true purpose of the Three, but there are also secrets lurking in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed, and once they rise, there may be no escape.
Filled with action, mind-bending twists, and powerful scenes of emotional and physical sacrifice, THE DARK SHORE takes readers on a journey to a question so great, even the gods have trouble answering it: What would you be willing to do, to save humanity from itself?
Owen and Lilly have escaped Camp Eden, but the next step on their journey to find Atlantis and protect it from Paul and Project Elysium involves crossing the perilous wastelands of a wrecked planet. And unlike in EdenWest, where bloody truths were kept hidden beneath the surface, out here the horrors live bright beneath the poisonous sun.
With treachery at every turn, Owen has no choice but to bring his wounded clan to the dark shores of Desenna, a city built from the ashes of EdenSouth. Desenna's blood-soaked walls may hold the key to Owen's journey in the form of the third Atlantean as well as a deeper understanding of the true purpose of the Three, but there are also secrets lurking in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed, and once they rise, there may be no escape.
Filled with action, mind-bending twists, and powerful scenes of emotional and physical sacrifice, THE DARK SHORE takes readers on a journey to a question so great, even the gods have trouble answering it: What would you be willing to do, to save humanity from itself?
496 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2013
34 people are currently reading
1578 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Emerson
40 books448 followersAuthor of sixteen novels for children and young adults, most recently LAST DAY ON MARS, BREAKOUT, and the ATLANTEANS series. His books have been published in ten different countries. Formerly a science teacher and a creative writing teacher, Kevin is also a singer and drummer. He has won a spelling bee, lost a beauty pageant, and once appeared in a Swedish TV commercial.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 28, 2013
If there’s one thing I can say about The Dark Shore, it’s that Kevin Emerson seems to have taken the criticisms of The Lost Code to heart. The first book of The Atlanteans was an odd mix of dystopia and mythology that tried a little too hard to be a young adult Percy Jackson, and suffered for it (because there is only one Camp Half-Blood after all, and Owen’s attempt at offbeat completely misses the mark). The Dark Shore on the other hand really surprised me by dropping the most problematic elements of the first book and is such of a turnaround from The Lost Code it might actually suffer from reverse middle book syndrome, that’s how different it is.
In a way, that's probably to be expected, considering the biggest criticism of The Lost Code is that nothing really happens while Owen and company are at Camp Eden, and it's really almost until the end of the book that anything of note, setting up a bigger plot, actually occurs. The Dark Shore though actually seems to suffer the opposite problem, in that too much happens after Owen, Lilly, and Leech escape Camp Eden that in the time it takes for me to wrap my head around any particular scene, Owen and company have already moved on to like three different something elses. There’s definitely more going on than in The Lost Code, more reveals of Atlantean mythology early on, more players exposed with stakes in Owen’s quest, but I’m not sure that’s completely a net positive. In retrospect, although the book is shorter and leaner than its predecessor, probably better paced, I don’t think many of the developments really had enough time to sink in (especially when it comes to where Emerson takes the more religious and philosophical aspects of the story dealing with the environmental changes - Owen and his friends’ reactions, or lack thereof, was really strange). And it all led to an ending that really caught me off guard, not by anything that happened, but by just how quickly I seemed to get to it - there was a definite sense of ‘that’s it?’ involved.
Owen himself though definitely seemed to have matured as a character. Those technicians in his head he kept talking about during The Lost Code? Gone.
In fact, I have to say I liked a lot of his character development in this one, well except for a love triangle of all things that somehow manages to pop up between him, Lilly, and new girl Seven, but thing is, the pacing is so fast like pretty much everything else the triangle is over before it even sinks in. On the flip side, its apparent Emerson built a lot of the story towards a crucial key reveal towards the end that really shakes up Owen’s character, so maybe it’s a good thing nothing really had a chance to sink in, or otherwise I might have predicted the twist just from all the clues along the way.
My favorite part of The Dark Shore though, is an aspect I don’t really remember Emerson actually going into in The Lost Code, about society’s responses to environmental disaster. There’s the Eden way, survival of those with the most worth in sealed domes, the Desenna way, a pseudo religious acceptance of the inevitable, and a lot of talk about environmentalism, hypocrisy, and basically the role of humans in the natural world. It’s interesting, but done in a very odd way though (which may have contributed to my impression about the pacing issues with the book) with tangents to human sacrifice and religious cults and, like I said, Owen and his friends certainly recognize the issues and talk about them, but their lack of a harder reaction to the tougher stuff they’re exposed to felt really strange. Or maybe Emerson could’ve gone into more detail but felt it would’ve dragged the plot, I don’t know, but there’s certainly some heavy stuff between the action scenes that’s somehow both oddly appropriate and weirdly out of place.
Anyway, I can definitely say The Dark Shore is a stronger book than The Lost Code, even if it does have a more haphazard feel to it. As far as mythology and dystopia go, it’s pretty entertaining, particularly with the lack of young adult for guys, but maybe it’s just me, but there’s just something about the plot and pacing in particularly, something I can’t quite put my finger on, that’s keeping me from giving this one a higher rating.
In a way, that's probably to be expected, considering the biggest criticism of The Lost Code is that nothing really happens while Owen and company are at Camp Eden, and it's really almost until the end of the book that anything of note, setting up a bigger plot, actually occurs. The Dark Shore though actually seems to suffer the opposite problem, in that too much happens after Owen, Lilly, and Leech escape Camp Eden that in the time it takes for me to wrap my head around any particular scene, Owen and company have already moved on to like three different something elses. There’s definitely more going on than in The Lost Code, more reveals of Atlantean mythology early on, more players exposed with stakes in Owen’s quest, but I’m not sure that’s completely a net positive. In retrospect, although the book is shorter and leaner than its predecessor, probably better paced, I don’t think many of the developments really had enough time to sink in (especially when it comes to where Emerson takes the more religious and philosophical aspects of the story dealing with the environmental changes - Owen and his friends’ reactions, or lack thereof, was really strange). And it all led to an ending that really caught me off guard, not by anything that happened, but by just how quickly I seemed to get to it - there was a definite sense of ‘that’s it?’ involved.
Owen himself though definitely seemed to have matured as a character. Those technicians in his head he kept talking about during The Lost Code? Gone.
No, no more technicians. They were gone, too. Needed to be. They’d been a nice idea, a way to deal with that feeling of not knowing myself, of not being in control, but now I knew how much was up to me.
In fact, I have to say I liked a lot of his character development in this one, well except for a love triangle of all things that somehow manages to pop up between him, Lilly, and new girl Seven, but thing is, the pacing is so fast like pretty much everything else the triangle is over before it even sinks in. On the flip side, its apparent Emerson built a lot of the story towards a crucial key reveal towards the end that really shakes up Owen’s character, so maybe it’s a good thing nothing really had a chance to sink in, or otherwise I might have predicted the twist just from all the clues along the way.
My favorite part of The Dark Shore though, is an aspect I don’t really remember Emerson actually going into in The Lost Code, about society’s responses to environmental disaster. There’s the Eden way, survival of those with the most worth in sealed domes, the Desenna way, a pseudo religious acceptance of the inevitable, and a lot of talk about environmentalism, hypocrisy, and basically the role of humans in the natural world. It’s interesting, but done in a very odd way though (which may have contributed to my impression about the pacing issues with the book) with tangents to human sacrifice and religious cults and, like I said, Owen and his friends certainly recognize the issues and talk about them, but their lack of a harder reaction to the tougher stuff they’re exposed to felt really strange. Or maybe Emerson could’ve gone into more detail but felt it would’ve dragged the plot, I don’t know, but there’s certainly some heavy stuff between the action scenes that’s somehow both oddly appropriate and weirdly out of place.
Anyway, I can definitely say The Dark Shore is a stronger book than The Lost Code, even if it does have a more haphazard feel to it. As far as mythology and dystopia go, it’s pretty entertaining, particularly with the lack of young adult for guys, but maybe it’s just me, but there’s just something about the plot and pacing in particularly, something I can’t quite put my finger on, that’s keeping me from giving this one a higher rating.
May 27, 2013
Nose Graze — Young Adult book reviews
Hmm. I have very mixed feelings about The Dark Shore . I started out a little nervous because it had been so long since I'd read The Lost Code and I was afraid I'd have no idea what was going on. Luckily, things are recapped pretty well in The Dark Shore . It started out a bit overwhelming, but I managed to piece things together as I went.
I think the best part about The Dark Shore was the world building. Parts of it were a bit creepy and gruesome, but I got a really good sense of what the world was like, with the viruses, and the disgusting worm infestations, and the crazy religious cults, etc. There was this one description of a girl with worms that literally had me shivering. It was so creepy and disgusting and I could just picture it... ahh!! Gross!
Religion and "Gods" play a surprisingly large role in The Dark Shore. I don't remember that being the case in The Lost Code . But in this book we learn about a whole religion tied into the Atlantis mythology.. but it's also a little crazy and cult-like, with chopping off fingers, and hanging dead bodies, and strange worshipping...
But there were several things that bugged me in The Dark Shore , most significantly the romance. This book falls victim to the "second book romance bump", which is a term I just randomly invented. It's when there's a great new romance in book 1, but then in order to "spice things up" in book 2 the couple suffers from relationship problems. They grow apart, they fight, they nitpick, and they basically bicker like an old married couple. This is exactly what happens to Owen and Lilly. And just to top things off, we get a love triangle as well. All the little arguments just felt so stupid and trivial. I wanted to smack both characters and tell them to grow up!
There's also a bit of peer pressure drug use in The Dark Shore , which I wasn't psyched about.
Although, there is a pretty big twist at the end, which I did not see coming! Like.. was I blind? I don't know.. It just came out of nowhere and it was awesome! I didn't expect it AT ALL, although maybe I should have. I loved being completely taken off guard by the twist! One of the best things in the world is when you don't see a twist coming, but when it does, suddenly everything falls into place and you're like, "Ooohh, I see now!" That's exactly how I felt!
But when
So, ultimately, I don't think I liked The Dark Shore as much as The Lost Code, but it was still a pretty good book. It's a bit more gruesome and serious than The Lost Code, which just makes it feel pretty different overall. I do think I would have enjoyed the book more if not for the annoying romance thing and a few other small factors.
January 29, 2018
Two down, one to go.
She: "If you really love me, then run with me. Get out of here alive. Because if you want to just stay here and die, then what you just said to me is a lie and I will hate you for all eternity." She stared at me, a mountain lion assessing its prey. Her eyes dared me to disobey. Then she leaped back up to her feet.
He: I felt the words. I drank them. Let them tear me open and pin my insides in place and make me still... "Okay." And I got up.
Rolls my eyes!
She: "If you really love me, then run with me. Get out of here alive. Because if you want to just stay here and die, then what you just said to me is a lie and I will hate you for all eternity." She stared at me, a mountain lion assessing its prey. Her eyes dared me to disobey. Then she leaped back up to her feet.
He: I felt the words. I drank them. Let them tear me open and pin my insides in place and make me still... "Okay." And I got up.
Rolls my eyes!
April 15, 2020
First, there was the Rise. Then the pandemics came - six in all. Now Owen, Lilly, and Leech are trying to find the Paintbrush of the Gods to do what exactly? This was the second book in a trilogy. I have not read the first book and will definitely not bother with the third book. I wanted to like this but the characters did not engage me. All of the plot twists were telegraphed well in advance. Most likely I finished reading it because the book stores are not open.
October 5, 2014
"The Dark Shore" the fast-paced, roller-coaster sequel to Kevin Emerson's " The Lost Code" begins after Owen, Lilly and Leech escape from Camp Eden. Their quest to find the "Paintbrush of the Gods", technology to reverse climate change, will have them escaping from Paul and the Elysium Project to find a temporary sanctuary in Heliad-7 in EdenSouth. But lies, deception and betrayal are even at the heart of the central city of Desenna where Dr. Kellar, the Benevolent Mother has her own plan for the Atlantean Three. Yet in this stop in their search Owen not only uncovers duplicitous actions that raise questions, but Leech will find his brother and Lilly her true identity.
Kevin Emerson sets the stage on an earth torn apart by the flood of the "Great Rise" and a pandemic that scourged mankind. In the dark depression of a dystopian world where the populace has been plagued by massacres, mass suicides and genocide as resources died, the people of Desenna refuse to live in the shadows preferring the brightness of the sun. For protection the walls are scarred by the bloodshed of those left hanging as a warning. In Desenna Owen and Leech find the third person in their team, Heliad a young woman believed to be "the Medium".
The plot, a stirring blend of romance, action and adventure twists and turns as Owen's not only torn between his feelings for Heliad and Lilly, but begins to unravel clues to the true purpose of the Three while Paul and his mercenaries wait in the shadows to capture them. Riveting from the first page to the last, suspense and intrigue slowly build as Owen and his team awaken from their complacency to find the city and its leader hiding dark secrets that bring danger and even death if they don't escape. Emotionally-charged with powerful scenes of sacrificial death, and the warmth of relationships thought lost the plot culminates in a climax that begs for a third book.
The characters are well-developed, realistic and complex, each driven by their inner turmoil and doubts. Owen Parker who was annoyingly mopey at camp is still uncertain and filled with doubts. Although he begins to gain self-assurance in his role as the Aeronaut he's shattered when he learns about his falsified memories and has serious qualms about his own identity. In a life that seems topsy -turvy Lilly has been Owen's anchor , but with his attraction to Heliad he constantly questions the love he feels for her. Cynical and defensive Lilly Ishami dislikes the newest member of the Three and suspects her of subterfuge, while seductive and flirtatious Heliad is arrogant and self-centred, playing a game she can't hope to win. Leech who was cryoed for over forty-seven years hides a lot of hate and anger. Over-confident, with an air of nonchalance in public , on the mission he's the team's talented and clever Mariner. In this story Paul is still the cold and calculating antagonist who will do anything to control the Three and gain access to the Paintbrush of the Gods while Dr. Kellar is more humane but has no compunction in killing if it serves her purpose.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Dark Shore" as Owen, Lilly and Leech struggle to save mankind battered by plague,infighting and starvation; their only hope of surviving at the Heart of Terra.
Kevin Emerson sets the stage on an earth torn apart by the flood of the "Great Rise" and a pandemic that scourged mankind. In the dark depression of a dystopian world where the populace has been plagued by massacres, mass suicides and genocide as resources died, the people of Desenna refuse to live in the shadows preferring the brightness of the sun. For protection the walls are scarred by the bloodshed of those left hanging as a warning. In Desenna Owen and Leech find the third person in their team, Heliad a young woman believed to be "the Medium".
The plot, a stirring blend of romance, action and adventure twists and turns as Owen's not only torn between his feelings for Heliad and Lilly, but begins to unravel clues to the true purpose of the Three while Paul and his mercenaries wait in the shadows to capture them. Riveting from the first page to the last, suspense and intrigue slowly build as Owen and his team awaken from their complacency to find the city and its leader hiding dark secrets that bring danger and even death if they don't escape. Emotionally-charged with powerful scenes of sacrificial death, and the warmth of relationships thought lost the plot culminates in a climax that begs for a third book.
The characters are well-developed, realistic and complex, each driven by their inner turmoil and doubts. Owen Parker who was annoyingly mopey at camp is still uncertain and filled with doubts. Although he begins to gain self-assurance in his role as the Aeronaut he's shattered when he learns about his falsified memories and has serious qualms about his own identity. In a life that seems topsy -turvy Lilly has been Owen's anchor , but with his attraction to Heliad he constantly questions the love he feels for her. Cynical and defensive Lilly Ishami dislikes the newest member of the Three and suspects her of subterfuge, while seductive and flirtatious Heliad is arrogant and self-centred, playing a game she can't hope to win. Leech who was cryoed for over forty-seven years hides a lot of hate and anger. Over-confident, with an air of nonchalance in public , on the mission he's the team's talented and clever Mariner. In this story Paul is still the cold and calculating antagonist who will do anything to control the Three and gain access to the Paintbrush of the Gods while Dr. Kellar is more humane but has no compunction in killing if it serves her purpose.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Dark Shore" as Owen, Lilly and Leech struggle to save mankind battered by plague,infighting and starvation; their only hope of surviving at the Heart of Terra.
August 6, 2016
(Source: I own a copy of this book.)
I was hoping that this book would be an improvement on the first one, but unfortunately it was just as dull.
I didn’t really care for any of the characters in this; they all seemed to be immature and made some seriously suspect decisions.
The storyline just bored me. Maybe it was a case of wrong book wrong person, but this just didn’t entertain me at all. It was info dump after info dump, some of them not even relevant to the story line (for example an info dump about suicide), and I just got bored, and then I got more bored, and then I got even more bored. Certain plot points were predictable, but more than anything I was just bored.
Overall; boring,
4 out of 10.
I was hoping that this book would be an improvement on the first one, but unfortunately it was just as dull.
I didn’t really care for any of the characters in this; they all seemed to be immature and made some seriously suspect decisions.
The storyline just bored me. Maybe it was a case of wrong book wrong person, but this just didn’t entertain me at all. It was info dump after info dump, some of them not even relevant to the story line (for example an info dump about suicide), and I just got bored, and then I got more bored, and then I got even more bored. Certain plot points were predictable, but more than anything I was just bored.
Overall; boring,
4 out of 10.
September 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
**THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.**
“What would you be willing to do to save humanity from itself?”
Questions like this are often posed on back covers of YA books. This is one instance when the question is actually discussed and posed in the novel. I love that. Maybe it's because I'm a Philosophy major, or maybe it's because I'm a human being. If you're someone who often wonders what humankind is doing to the earth, and what the world will look like in 2086, you're gonna love this book. It will most likely terrify you, that's what it did to me.
The main reason I don't read too many dystopian novels is because they have a tendency to depress me. This is one series that, although kinda bums me out at times, for the most part just terrifies me and fascinates me. That terrific fascination had me captivated throughout the novel. I felt it was a great sequel, much better than the first book.
I really like how this series Is equal parts futuristic dystopia with sinister forces ruling the world, and ancient mythology I fused within (in this series, it's all about Atlantis). I've always been so curious about Atlantis. I can tell you that the only reason I started reading this series was the fact that Atlantis has always captivated me, and I felt the premise had serious potential. There was a huge gap between the first and second books, I was a little fuzzy on some details since I waited so long between books. But, once I got like 1/4 way through, I started to remember and became absorbed totally at that point.
Owen is a great main character, and I like YA books with male point of view. He developed a lot in this book, and his friendship with Leech (Carey) and Lilly really changed a lot. I liked the resilience of the characters, and how their personalities were so different. I felt like I knew each of them, the way they were depicted was so similar to people I have Known throughout my life, it's really quite amazing. The writing is spectacular. It has a certain cadence that is really fun to read. Here is one quote that I really liked:
“I lay there and in my mind I was in Desenna; I was in EdenWest; I was in Hub; I was in the Atlantean City; I was in my ship, flying over the wastes, and none of these places felt like home, none of them felt like where I belonged. It was like I'd come unglued from the world, like I was drifting on a wind; and even here, in a room in my moms apartment, hadn't yet landed. If anything, I felt more untethered than ever.”
-pg 248 of ARC
Plus, I was completely taken aback by the revelation at the end. There's definitely a lot to occur in the final book. This is definitely a series that is appropriate to have 3 books. It's perfectly paced and organized and I appreciate that.
I recommend this series to fans of dystopian novels with mythology infused themes. There is strong world building and character development. It's not a happy sappy book; there is heartache death and pain. This series questions the good of humanity and whether the greatest destruction of humanity can be from itself.
**THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.**
“What would you be willing to do to save humanity from itself?”
Questions like this are often posed on back covers of YA books. This is one instance when the question is actually discussed and posed in the novel. I love that. Maybe it's because I'm a Philosophy major, or maybe it's because I'm a human being. If you're someone who often wonders what humankind is doing to the earth, and what the world will look like in 2086, you're gonna love this book. It will most likely terrify you, that's what it did to me.
The main reason I don't read too many dystopian novels is because they have a tendency to depress me. This is one series that, although kinda bums me out at times, for the most part just terrifies me and fascinates me. That terrific fascination had me captivated throughout the novel. I felt it was a great sequel, much better than the first book.
I really like how this series Is equal parts futuristic dystopia with sinister forces ruling the world, and ancient mythology I fused within (in this series, it's all about Atlantis). I've always been so curious about Atlantis. I can tell you that the only reason I started reading this series was the fact that Atlantis has always captivated me, and I felt the premise had serious potential. There was a huge gap between the first and second books, I was a little fuzzy on some details since I waited so long between books. But, once I got like 1/4 way through, I started to remember and became absorbed totally at that point.
Owen is a great main character, and I like YA books with male point of view. He developed a lot in this book, and his friendship with Leech (Carey) and Lilly really changed a lot. I liked the resilience of the characters, and how their personalities were so different. I felt like I knew each of them, the way they were depicted was so similar to people I have Known throughout my life, it's really quite amazing. The writing is spectacular. It has a certain cadence that is really fun to read. Here is one quote that I really liked:
“I lay there and in my mind I was in Desenna; I was in EdenWest; I was in Hub; I was in the Atlantean City; I was in my ship, flying over the wastes, and none of these places felt like home, none of them felt like where I belonged. It was like I'd come unglued from the world, like I was drifting on a wind; and even here, in a room in my moms apartment, hadn't yet landed. If anything, I felt more untethered than ever.”
-pg 248 of ARC
Plus, I was completely taken aback by the revelation at the end. There's definitely a lot to occur in the final book. This is definitely a series that is appropriate to have 3 books. It's perfectly paced and organized and I appreciate that.
I recommend this series to fans of dystopian novels with mythology infused themes. There is strong world building and character development. It's not a happy sappy book; there is heartache death and pain. This series questions the good of humanity and whether the greatest destruction of humanity can be from itself.
April 8, 2018
Ich hatte sehr hohe Erwartungen an das Buch, da mir der erste Band der Reihe so gut gefallen hat und ich nun doch eine ganze Weile auf Band 2 warten musste. Leider wurde ich ziemlich enttäuscht. Am ersten Band mochte ich ja vor allem die Camp-Atmosphäre, das moderne Setting unter der Kuppel und die noch relativ lockere Stimmung über weite Teile des Buches. Hier ändert sich dies nun entscheidend. Im zweiten Band ist die Stimmung durchweg bedrückend. Es gibt auch sehr viele brutale Szenen. Also nichts mehr mit Feriencamp-Stimmung und leichter Liebesgeschichte. Außerdem befinden sich Owen, Lilly und Leech nicht mehr unter der modernen Kuppel, sondern auf der zerstörten, strahlenverseuchten Erdoberfläche. Auch das schlägt auf die Stimmung. Zwar gibt es einige technische Spielereien aber ansonsten kommt man sich eher wie im Mittelalter vor. Am schlimmsten für mich war aber einfach diese ganze trübe, bedrückende Grundstimmung und auch was mit den Charakteren so alles passiert hat mich eher runtergezogen und so etwas mag ich nicht beim Lesen.
Aber es gibt auch positives zu berichten. Zum Beispiel war das Ende für mich total unvorhersehbar und wartete mit einigen Schockmoment auf. Es war sehr actionlastig und geheimnisvoll was das ganze Mythische angeht. Auch die Interaktionen zwischen den Charakteren, vor allem zwischen den drei Reisenden gefiel mir wirklich gut. Man merkte, dass sich ihre Beziehung festigte. Es gab einige Hindernisse und Widerstände, die die Drei das ein oder andere Mal in Konflikte brachte, aber irgendwie rauften sie sich wieder zusammen. Paul, der große Gegenspieler dieser Geschichte, ist einfach widerlich böse. Solche Charaktere machen mir persönlich zu schaffen aber ich fand ihn wirklich gut geschrieben.
Der Schreibstil ist etwas einfach und erinnert eher an ein Middle-Grade Buch, was allerdings mit der brutalen Handlung dann etwas merkwürdig wirkte. Wo ich im ersten Band noch komplett zufrieden war und alles stimmig fand, hatte ich im zweiten Band etliche Momente in denen ich im Lesefluss deshalb stockte.
Alles in allem fand ich das Buch leider nur mittelmäßig. Ich würde schon sehr gern wissen wie alles ausgeht und es gibt so einige Fragen (vor allem Owens Vergangenheit betreffend), die ich unbedingt beantwortet haben möchte. Da ich aber befürchte, dass die Brutalität doch noch zunehmen wird und auch Band 3 eher bedrückend sein wird, bin ich mir noch nicht sicher ob ich weiter lesen werde.
*Fazit:*
3 von 5 Sternen
Leider wurde ich doch ziemlich enttäuscht. Band 1 der Reihe hatte mir so wahnsinnig gut gefallen, aber dieser zweite Teil war einfach zu bedrückend und stellenweise zu brutal für mich. Schade. Überraschen konnte mich das Ende, denn da gab es so einige Wendungen, die ich nicht vorhergesehen habe. Auch Owen war mir wieder super sympathisch und seine Freunde ebenfalls.
Reihe: (Original/Dt. Ausgabe)
The Lost Code / Die Erben von Atlantis (Flucht aus Camp Eden)
The Dark Shore/ Die Prophezeiung von Desenna
The Far Dawn/ Heimkehr in die verlorene Stadt
Aber es gibt auch positives zu berichten. Zum Beispiel war das Ende für mich total unvorhersehbar und wartete mit einigen Schockmoment auf. Es war sehr actionlastig und geheimnisvoll was das ganze Mythische angeht. Auch die Interaktionen zwischen den Charakteren, vor allem zwischen den drei Reisenden gefiel mir wirklich gut. Man merkte, dass sich ihre Beziehung festigte. Es gab einige Hindernisse und Widerstände, die die Drei das ein oder andere Mal in Konflikte brachte, aber irgendwie rauften sie sich wieder zusammen. Paul, der große Gegenspieler dieser Geschichte, ist einfach widerlich böse. Solche Charaktere machen mir persönlich zu schaffen aber ich fand ihn wirklich gut geschrieben.
Der Schreibstil ist etwas einfach und erinnert eher an ein Middle-Grade Buch, was allerdings mit der brutalen Handlung dann etwas merkwürdig wirkte. Wo ich im ersten Band noch komplett zufrieden war und alles stimmig fand, hatte ich im zweiten Band etliche Momente in denen ich im Lesefluss deshalb stockte.
Alles in allem fand ich das Buch leider nur mittelmäßig. Ich würde schon sehr gern wissen wie alles ausgeht und es gibt so einige Fragen (vor allem Owens Vergangenheit betreffend), die ich unbedingt beantwortet haben möchte. Da ich aber befürchte, dass die Brutalität doch noch zunehmen wird und auch Band 3 eher bedrückend sein wird, bin ich mir noch nicht sicher ob ich weiter lesen werde.
*Fazit:*
3 von 5 Sternen
Leider wurde ich doch ziemlich enttäuscht. Band 1 der Reihe hatte mir so wahnsinnig gut gefallen, aber dieser zweite Teil war einfach zu bedrückend und stellenweise zu brutal für mich. Schade. Überraschen konnte mich das Ende, denn da gab es so einige Wendungen, die ich nicht vorhergesehen habe. Auch Owen war mir wieder super sympathisch und seine Freunde ebenfalls.
Reihe: (Original/Dt. Ausgabe)
The Lost Code / Die Erben von Atlantis (Flucht aus Camp Eden)
The Dark Shore/ Die Prophezeiung von Desenna
The Far Dawn/ Heimkehr in die verlorene Stadt
August 30, 2015
Just finished the first book a few minutes ago, now I'm on the second one...
Leech is growing on me...I was annoyed at him on the first 100 pages of the first book but then, I paused to think about him like what Owen did about the doctor. Something in them that made you question yourself... by the end of the first book, I find his sarcasm funny.
Lilly is compassionate but strong and skilled, Leech is street smart and strong willed while Owen is full of ancient knowledge, sometimes not sure of his decision making and totally & hopelessly in-love with Lilly.
What or who the hell is the siren that Owen sees when he's hallucinating or something...lol...and why is he the only one who has seen and talked to her???
Both Paul & Victoria are obsessed prophet-like ancient scientific believer and Paul is a crazy lunatic tyrant while Victoria is just megalomaniac thinking she's a god with her own hidden agenda. Seven is so full of herself and annoying...she's like the queen b of mean girls times a thousand!!!
Holy Crap!!! Why am I agreeing with Victoria?!?! Why do I think that her explanations are making sense!!!???!!!
• “Depression is medical. It’s chemical. It’s not her fault. It’s just how she was built, part of nature’s trial and error. So, I believe that if she wished to end her suffering, then she should be allowed to, and that choice should be given honor. Rather than have her bleed herself in a dark corner of the world and die alone, why not celebrate that divine spark inside her,...”
• “...that’s the one thing that is still like it used to be. People need spectacle. People need magic. People need to believe in something. And if you look at human history, people also need blood.”
OMG!!! Leech is a super-freaking-genius (if there's such a thing or am I just making this up)...how can a normal person connect the dots with random information like Owen's weird dreams to a statement about Victoria not agreeing with some cryo practices in the past to some files in Tacticals and some knowledge from EdenWest to be able to conclude that Owen's memories have been manipulated!!! Fascinating Leech...plain and simple - simply genius!!! Go Leech!!! Oh. My. God!!! Leech can't die!!! Not like that!!!
I am so GLAD that Lilly (NOT Seven) is the third Atlantean!!! I'm so HAPPY that Victoria is finally dead!!! Seven's death reminded me of the song "High Flying Adored" from Evita.
"No," Leech said "don’t be. I should have told you more, told you everything, from the start at camp. We didn’t have to be enemies, could have been a team, could have gotten out sooner and made it farther and”... I can't believe Leech died
Leech is growing on me...I was annoyed at him on the first 100 pages of the first book but then, I paused to think about him like what Owen did about the doctor. Something in them that made you question yourself... by the end of the first book, I find his sarcasm funny.
Lilly is compassionate but strong and skilled, Leech is street smart and strong willed while Owen is full of ancient knowledge, sometimes not sure of his decision making and totally & hopelessly in-love with Lilly.
What or who the hell is the siren that Owen sees when he's hallucinating or something...lol...and why is he the only one who has seen and talked to her???
Both Paul & Victoria are obsessed prophet-like ancient scientific believer and Paul is a crazy lunatic tyrant while Victoria is just megalomaniac thinking she's a god with her own hidden agenda. Seven is so full of herself and annoying...she's like the queen b of mean girls times a thousand!!!
Holy Crap!!! Why am I agreeing with Victoria?!?! Why do I think that her explanations are making sense!!!???!!!
• “Depression is medical. It’s chemical. It’s not her fault. It’s just how she was built, part of nature’s trial and error. So, I believe that if she wished to end her suffering, then she should be allowed to, and that choice should be given honor. Rather than have her bleed herself in a dark corner of the world and die alone, why not celebrate that divine spark inside her,...”
• “...that’s the one thing that is still like it used to be. People need spectacle. People need magic. People need to believe in something. And if you look at human history, people also need blood.”
OMG!!! Leech is a super-freaking-genius (if there's such a thing or am I just making this up)...how can a normal person connect the dots with random information like Owen's weird dreams to a statement about Victoria not agreeing with some cryo practices in the past to some files in Tacticals and some knowledge from EdenWest to be able to conclude that Owen's memories have been manipulated!!! Fascinating Leech...plain and simple - simply genius!!! Go Leech!!! Oh. My. God!!! Leech can't die!!! Not like that!!!
I am so GLAD that Lilly (NOT Seven) is the third Atlantean!!! I'm so HAPPY that Victoria is finally dead!!! Seven's death reminded me of the song "High Flying Adored" from Evita.
"No," Leech said "don’t be. I should have told you more, told you everything, from the start at camp. We didn’t have to be enemies, could have been a team, could have gotten out sooner and made it farther and”... I can't believe Leech died
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2013
So it's true what they say - this is so much better than the first installment. (I kept reading because, you know, it's Atlantis, but now I have a solid reason to keep up.)
I'm bad at writing lengthy reviews, so I won't. But there are three things I thought I just have to mention:
1. I already knew (because sometimes I cheat and read spoilers) that Owen
2. The cover. I was pretty baffled at first, to be honest. "Wow, how did Lilly get so pretty? Atlantean makeover?" Haha. (Yes, it actually took me a while to realize.)
3. I normally dislike romances getting messy, but
I almost hate the fact that Lilly It seems like a "quick fix" to the romance issues.
Overall, great book. Eagerly awaiting the next one! :D
I'm bad at writing lengthy reviews, so I won't. But there are three things I thought I just have to mention:
1. I already knew (because sometimes I cheat and read spoilers) that Owen
2. The cover. I was pretty baffled at first, to be honest. "Wow, how did Lilly get so pretty? Atlantean makeover?" Haha. (Yes, it actually took me a while to realize.)
3. I normally dislike romances getting messy, but
I almost hate the fact that Lilly It seems like a "quick fix" to the romance issues.
Overall, great book. Eagerly awaiting the next one! :D
January 31, 2016
Meine Meinung:
Da mir der erste Teil dieser Trilogie wirklich gut gefallen hat, musste ich natürlich direkt den zweiten Teil hinterher schieben.
Da der erste Teil nur ein paar Tage her war, bin ich sehr schnell in die Geschichte hinein gekommen. Für alle bei denen es schon länger her, befürchte ich, dass sie etwas Probleme mit dem Einstieg in die Geschichten haben könnten, da es hier kaum Rückblicke gibt.
Man begleitet hier Owen und Lily weiter auf ihrer Reise, die alles andere als einfach ist. Das die Reise nicht einfach ist bringt der Autor auf eine extreme Weise rüber. Denn das Buch ist stellenweise sehr brutal und fast schon grenzwertig für ein Jugendbuch. Man könnte jetzt denken, dass es dann bestimmt auch sehr spannend ist, aber leider ist dies nicht der Fall. Die Geschichte plätschert eher so dahin und hätte mehr Action sehr gut vertragen können.
In diesem Teil steht die Liebesgeschichte mehr im Vordergrund, was mir an sich gut gefallen hat. Nur manche Aspekte mussten nicht sein und haben das Buch leider eher schlechter gemacht ale es ist.
Obwohl ich einige Punkte haben, die ich nicht mochte,hat der Autor es geschafft mich zu fesseln. Ich möchte einfach unbedingt wissen, wie es mit den Charakteren weiter geht und hoffe das meine offenen Fragen im dritten Teil beantwortet werden, auf den ich zum Glück nicht mehr lange warten muss.
Fazit:
Der zweite Teil "Die Vertriebenen - Die Prophezeiung von Desenna" hatte leider einige Schwächen, zum einen war die Spannung leider nicht, die ich gehofft habe und zum anderen war es sehr brutal. Dennoch konnte mich das Buch fesseln und ich bin sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil der Trilogie.
Da mir der erste Teil dieser Trilogie wirklich gut gefallen hat, musste ich natürlich direkt den zweiten Teil hinterher schieben.
Da der erste Teil nur ein paar Tage her war, bin ich sehr schnell in die Geschichte hinein gekommen. Für alle bei denen es schon länger her, befürchte ich, dass sie etwas Probleme mit dem Einstieg in die Geschichten haben könnten, da es hier kaum Rückblicke gibt.
Man begleitet hier Owen und Lily weiter auf ihrer Reise, die alles andere als einfach ist. Das die Reise nicht einfach ist bringt der Autor auf eine extreme Weise rüber. Denn das Buch ist stellenweise sehr brutal und fast schon grenzwertig für ein Jugendbuch. Man könnte jetzt denken, dass es dann bestimmt auch sehr spannend ist, aber leider ist dies nicht der Fall. Die Geschichte plätschert eher so dahin und hätte mehr Action sehr gut vertragen können.
In diesem Teil steht die Liebesgeschichte mehr im Vordergrund, was mir an sich gut gefallen hat. Nur manche Aspekte mussten nicht sein und haben das Buch leider eher schlechter gemacht ale es ist.
Obwohl ich einige Punkte haben, die ich nicht mochte,hat der Autor es geschafft mich zu fesseln. Ich möchte einfach unbedingt wissen, wie es mit den Charakteren weiter geht und hoffe das meine offenen Fragen im dritten Teil beantwortet werden, auf den ich zum Glück nicht mehr lange warten muss.
Fazit:
Der zweite Teil "Die Vertriebenen - Die Prophezeiung von Desenna" hatte leider einige Schwächen, zum einen war die Spannung leider nicht, die ich gehofft habe und zum anderen war es sehr brutal. Dennoch konnte mich das Buch fesseln und ich bin sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil der Trilogie.
May 14, 2014
This one was just as bad as the first.
I didn't like any of the characters in the first installment, and i disliked them even more in this one.
They were all really annoying, and i just couldn't connect to any of them.
The pacing was really really slow, and full of info dumps.
I felt relieved whenever i put the book down, and i was so so glad when i finished it!
I can only think of one good thing regarding the boredom i experienced thanks to the book - The housework looked more appealing, so i managed to get all the things i was putting off done!
Overall, dull.
I didn't like any of the characters in the first installment, and i disliked them even more in this one.
They were all really annoying, and i just couldn't connect to any of them.
The pacing was really really slow, and full of info dumps.
I felt relieved whenever i put the book down, and i was so so glad when i finished it!
I can only think of one good thing regarding the boredom i experienced thanks to the book - The housework looked more appealing, so i managed to get all the things i was putting off done!
Overall, dull.
Want to read
October 29, 2012Ohhhh~ Love the cover! The colours are great!
Want to read
December 1, 2012This cover screams pretentious suck.
October 17, 2017
Inhalt
Die Menschheit hat nur noch eine Chance ...
Es ist Owen und Lilly gelungen, aus Camp Eden zu fliehen. Doch nun beginnt der gefährlichere Teil ihrer Mission: Sie müssen sich durch die lebensfeindliche Welt schlagen, in der überall Verrat lauert. Schließlich sind sie gezwungen, in der schwarzen Stadt Desenna haltzumachen. Können sie den Menschen hier trauen? Als sie endlich wichtige Hinweise auf das Ziel ihrer Reise finden, droht ein finsteres Geheimnis alles zu zerstören …
Charaktere
Owen ist ein sehr sensibler und gefühlvoller junger Mann. Er ist sehr impulsiv und stur. Trotzdem ist Owen hilfsbereit und beschützend. Er ist auch kreativ und clever.
Lilly ist eine sehr schlaue und vernünftige junge Frau. Sie hinterfragt viel und lässt sich nichts einfach so bieten. Des Weiteren ist sie ehrlich und fürsorglich. Lilly ist auch sehr nachdenklich.
Leech ist ein sehr impulsiver junger Mann. Er ist sehr schlau und er ändert sich. Des Weiteren ist er voller Reue.
Meine Meinung
Das Buch ist sehr spannend und es endet mit einem Cliffhänger. Teilweise ist der Schreibstil etwas zäh und langweilig und im nächsten Moment ist er wieder sehr abwechslungsreich und unterhaltsam.
Zur Autorin
Kevin Emerson war Lehrer, bevor er mit dem Schreiben begann. Durch seine Schüler kam er auf die Idee, sich Bücher für Jugendliche auszudenken. Heute ist er professioneller Autor. In seiner Freizeit spielt er in einer Band - und unterrichtet, was ihm noch immer sehr viel Spaß macht. Kevin Emerson lebt in Seattle.
Empfehlung
Wenn euch Band 1 richtig vom Hocker gehauen hat, dann lest diesen Band auf jeden Fall auch!
Die Menschheit hat nur noch eine Chance ...
Es ist Owen und Lilly gelungen, aus Camp Eden zu fliehen. Doch nun beginnt der gefährlichere Teil ihrer Mission: Sie müssen sich durch die lebensfeindliche Welt schlagen, in der überall Verrat lauert. Schließlich sind sie gezwungen, in der schwarzen Stadt Desenna haltzumachen. Können sie den Menschen hier trauen? Als sie endlich wichtige Hinweise auf das Ziel ihrer Reise finden, droht ein finsteres Geheimnis alles zu zerstören …
Charaktere
Owen ist ein sehr sensibler und gefühlvoller junger Mann. Er ist sehr impulsiv und stur. Trotzdem ist Owen hilfsbereit und beschützend. Er ist auch kreativ und clever.
Lilly ist eine sehr schlaue und vernünftige junge Frau. Sie hinterfragt viel und lässt sich nichts einfach so bieten. Des Weiteren ist sie ehrlich und fürsorglich. Lilly ist auch sehr nachdenklich.
Leech ist ein sehr impulsiver junger Mann. Er ist sehr schlau und er ändert sich. Des Weiteren ist er voller Reue.
Meine Meinung
Das Buch ist sehr spannend und es endet mit einem Cliffhänger. Teilweise ist der Schreibstil etwas zäh und langweilig und im nächsten Moment ist er wieder sehr abwechslungsreich und unterhaltsam.
Zur Autorin
Kevin Emerson war Lehrer, bevor er mit dem Schreiben begann. Durch seine Schüler kam er auf die Idee, sich Bücher für Jugendliche auszudenken. Heute ist er professioneller Autor. In seiner Freizeit spielt er in einer Band - und unterrichtet, was ihm noch immer sehr viel Spaß macht. Kevin Emerson lebt in Seattle.
Empfehlung
Wenn euch Band 1 richtig vom Hocker gehauen hat, dann lest diesen Band auf jeden Fall auch!
February 7, 2019
I don’t know if this is normal... but Seven has become my LEAST favorite character out of ALL of the books I’ve read in my life. I love this book, it added some nice balance to what was going on in the first. But it also introduced a character that had earned twice as much loathing as Octavian from Hero’s of Olympus. She destroys this relationship she’s WELL aware of, genuinely believes for a bit that she is a goddess and better than everyone else, and in general she’s just this pampered little princess who wouldn’t last A DAY in the world outside of her reality. I was mentally screaming at Kevin Emerson to not make me suffer through this spoiled little brat for even one more book, and actually CELEBRATED when she died. She has no sense of responsibility, and is generally an idiot. Plus when she strips in front of Owen, AND pressures him into doing drugs, I wanted so badly to strangle her. I can’t understand why Owen ever saw anything in her, and quite honestly he’s a decent enough person to know that this is SO far from ok. I think she was the biggest problem in this book, if you want me to feel like this love triangle is a problem, give me a reason to like BOTH love interests. Sorry this was a little rambly, but I wanted to know if anyone agrees with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2018
Much darker than the first. A cult like religion, human sacrifice, plagues, fires. A blonde girl who is set up as the third one of the Three who is very flirty (heavy kissing, takes off her top, not descriptive of her body though, he stops her) some other kissing. More of Paul's planning is revealed. spoiler Many casualties in the end from some woken up from cryo-sleep. Some cussing (ba---, h--, da--, G--) I sped read by reading only the first few sentences of paragraphs and the dialogue. Didn't feel like I missed much doing that and it moved along faster which I was trying to get to. I think Lilly is ok now, she grew on me.
(14 and up)
(14 and up)
December 17, 2018
An excellent sequel to the first book in this series! The further adventures of Owen, Leech and Lilly is still a great page turner that keeps you reading at a furious rate. I am now on the search for the third book to finish the story!
July 6, 2017
Garbage. Just garbage.
March 6, 2020
very good book,keeps bring ing you in on the adventures they take.
July 19, 2022
Me gusto mucho mas este segundo libro de la trilogía,mi opinión no me gusto mucho fue el final fue un poco triste hace ver que los malos de la historia ganaron y que Owen al final haya quedado solo.
July 23, 2023
El segundo fue una tortura
July 22, 2015
*Huge thanks to Kevin Emerson and Katherine Tegen Books for sending me a copy of this book*
I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for this book. If you remember, I LOVED the first book, The Lost Code. I was so excited about the world that Kevin Emerson envisioned. I felt like the time between books was never going to end. I had The Dark Shore on my auto-buy list, so I was absolutely going to get my hands on a copy. I NEEDED to get back into this world and find out what happened to Owen...and others..
Well, a few weeks ago, Kevin contacted me about being part of the tour, so of course I said yes! I am REALLY enthusiastic about this series, so I'm going to do what I can to promote it. We made arrangements for the publisher to send an ARC out. WOO! Imagine my surprise and TOTAL DELIGHT when a finished copy arrived instead. I may have jumped around a little bit. Or a lot. This is my very first publisher-sent finished copy! I kind of feel all tingly inside.
ANYWAY.
I jumped right in to the book. It wasn't hard to get sucked back into the terrifying post-apocalyptic world Emerson created. I'm actually kind of glad that it was overcast the entire time I was reading...the threat of RAD burns/poisoning was real enough to me that I felt the need to be protected! There were some super cool images right from the start - just imagine pyrocumulus clouds. There wasn't much accompanying description, but then again, there wasn't a need for it. I could TOTALLY picture what these clouds would look like. I felt like looking on Google to see if there were images out there. They seemed like things that could really BE things.
The landscape is so desolate and baked. I swear I could feel my throat parching as I read and I think I probably drank more water during this book than in the preceding three weeks put together. I'm not even kidding. I could just FEEL it, you know? The rare breeze became a reality every time it floated by.
I enjoyed following Owen through the twists and turns he faced in this book, from wondering how he was going to get himself and his friends to safety, to finding things out that would change things for him like he never thought possible. There were parts when I just wanted to gather him up for a hug, and times when I wanted to smack him upside the head. (Really, Owen?!) That, to me, is the mark of a strong character. I've never really related at all to male MCs, but Owen is definitely an exception. He's fantastic.
And that ending...THAT ENDING!! Totally came out of left field and blindsided me. I had NO IDEA *THAT* was even an option!!! *mind blown*
I really, really, really loved this book. This series has become a favorite, and it's one that I highly recommend. It's perfect for your teenage (older teenagers probably) reluctant readers, male or female. It's the kind of series that will suck them in and have them wanting MORE BOOKS. There's never anything wrong with that! Seriously, if you have a chance (and in a minute, I am going to give you one, so KEEP READING), pick this series up and READ IT RIGHT NOW.
It's 4.5 Eiffel Towers for me.
Content Advisory:
Language: Moderate
Violence: Heavyish
Sexuality: Moderate
I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for this book. If you remember, I LOVED the first book, The Lost Code. I was so excited about the world that Kevin Emerson envisioned. I felt like the time between books was never going to end. I had The Dark Shore on my auto-buy list, so I was absolutely going to get my hands on a copy. I NEEDED to get back into this world and find out what happened to Owen...and others..
Well, a few weeks ago, Kevin contacted me about being part of the tour, so of course I said yes! I am REALLY enthusiastic about this series, so I'm going to do what I can to promote it. We made arrangements for the publisher to send an ARC out. WOO! Imagine my surprise and TOTAL DELIGHT when a finished copy arrived instead. I may have jumped around a little bit. Or a lot. This is my very first publisher-sent finished copy! I kind of feel all tingly inside.
ANYWAY.
I jumped right in to the book. It wasn't hard to get sucked back into the terrifying post-apocalyptic world Emerson created. I'm actually kind of glad that it was overcast the entire time I was reading...the threat of RAD burns/poisoning was real enough to me that I felt the need to be protected! There were some super cool images right from the start - just imagine pyrocumulus clouds. There wasn't much accompanying description, but then again, there wasn't a need for it. I could TOTALLY picture what these clouds would look like. I felt like looking on Google to see if there were images out there. They seemed like things that could really BE things.
The landscape is so desolate and baked. I swear I could feel my throat parching as I read and I think I probably drank more water during this book than in the preceding three weeks put together. I'm not even kidding. I could just FEEL it, you know? The rare breeze became a reality every time it floated by.
I enjoyed following Owen through the twists and turns he faced in this book, from wondering how he was going to get himself and his friends to safety, to finding things out that would change things for him like he never thought possible. There were parts when I just wanted to gather him up for a hug, and times when I wanted to smack him upside the head. (Really, Owen?!) That, to me, is the mark of a strong character. I've never really related at all to male MCs, but Owen is definitely an exception. He's fantastic.
And that ending...THAT ENDING!! Totally came out of left field and blindsided me. I had NO IDEA *THAT* was even an option!!! *mind blown*
I really, really, really loved this book. This series has become a favorite, and it's one that I highly recommend. It's perfect for your teenage (older teenagers probably) reluctant readers, male or female. It's the kind of series that will suck them in and have them wanting MORE BOOKS. There's never anything wrong with that! Seriously, if you have a chance (and in a minute, I am going to give you one, so KEEP READING), pick this series up and READ IT RIGHT NOW.
It's 4.5 Eiffel Towers for me.
Content Advisory:
Language: Moderate
Violence: Heavyish
Sexuality: Moderate
October 17, 2013
Yes! An excellent and exciting sequel to a criminally overlooked YA science fiction series. It picks up right where "The Lost Code" left off - the three Atlanteans are in their airship, headed off to learn as much as they can about themselves and hide from those who would do them harm. A powerful and possibly dangerous sect has learned of the Atlantean prophecy and the possibility of restoring order to the earth, yet at what cost? We also meet a fun new character, Seven, who adds some much-needed spice to this trio.
This volume clarifies how and where people can live - in the Edens, underground (like Hub), in the unstable borderlands, in the safety of the zones outside of the Tropics, or take a risk and live in freedom on the scorched land.
I flinched as the Atlanteans fight off the deadly rays of the sun. I love this world that Kevin Emerson has built for his readers - it's frightening and yet in a way resilient. Wheat crops presumably can't grow in the heat, so survivors have gotten creative with rice and soy. Tapir is a delicacy.
There is a lot of action, so much that at times it's a bit too much. I don't want to discuss any spoilers, but suffice it to say that the Atlanteans have some truly sinister encounters. It's mixed up with fun sequences. Who hasn't had a good time tooling around in grocery carts at Wal-mart?
I wasn't fond of bully Leech in the first book, so I'm disappointed that he has turned out to be so integral to the story. I hope we get some resolution with the rest of Owen's friends back at camp, as well as other minor characters mentioned in this book (please tell me that poor little Riley gets some medical treatment).
What I did not like was the creepy factor of the Heliad cult. One clever woman figured out how to take a prophecy that's been established as a fact, and turn in into a religious movement that keeps desperate survivors under control. While it works, it's a bit dark for YA. The "symbol" that new Heliad recruits are forced to partake in was disturbing, and the last surprise was a bit of a facepalm. There are also some questionable arguments for and against trying to preserve the earth. On one hand, it's good to try to conserve and save something for future generations. On the other hand, go ahead and throw your soda can into the trash instead of the recycling bin because humans will always adapt to whatever happens. I'm not sure I agree with the second argument, and a world without wavering fields of grain is pretty depressing.
Overall, I highly recommend this exciting and well-written series. This series needs more exposure and should be topping bestseller lists.
This volume clarifies how and where people can live - in the Edens, underground (like Hub), in the unstable borderlands, in the safety of the zones outside of the Tropics, or take a risk and live in freedom on the scorched land.
I flinched as the Atlanteans fight off the deadly rays of the sun. I love this world that Kevin Emerson has built for his readers - it's frightening and yet in a way resilient. Wheat crops presumably can't grow in the heat, so survivors have gotten creative with rice and soy. Tapir is a delicacy.
There is a lot of action, so much that at times it's a bit too much. I don't want to discuss any spoilers, but suffice it to say that the Atlanteans have some truly sinister encounters. It's mixed up with fun sequences. Who hasn't had a good time tooling around in grocery carts at Wal-mart?
I wasn't fond of bully Leech in the first book, so I'm disappointed that he has turned out to be so integral to the story. I hope we get some resolution with the rest of Owen's friends back at camp, as well as other minor characters mentioned in this book (please tell me that poor little Riley gets some medical treatment).
What I did not like was the creepy factor of the Heliad cult. One clever woman figured out how to take a prophecy that's been established as a fact, and turn in into a religious movement that keeps desperate survivors under control. While it works, it's a bit dark for YA. The "symbol" that new Heliad recruits are forced to partake in was disturbing, and the last surprise was a bit of a facepalm. There are also some questionable arguments for and against trying to preserve the earth. On one hand, it's good to try to conserve and save something for future generations. On the other hand, go ahead and throw your soda can into the trash instead of the recycling bin because humans will always adapt to whatever happens. I'm not sure I agree with the second argument, and a world without wavering fields of grain is pretty depressing.
Overall, I highly recommend this exciting and well-written series. This series needs more exposure and should be topping bestseller lists.
July 31, 2013
The Dark Shore is the second book of this series. The Lost Code is the first book of the series, The Atlantean. (Yes, there's a review of The Lost Code.) To put this review is simple words, I say The Dark Shore is a fantastic sequel, that is better than The Lost Code, the first book. Warning: If you decide not to read The Lost Code before The Dark Shore, you'll be in a huge surprise. The Dark Shore has no recap so you have to read The Lost Code or else you'll be the lost one.
I love the action in The Dark Shore. It may be gruesome, but it is legen...wait for it...dary! (I had to go How I Met Your Mother.)
The plot is great! I love it and it's so addicting, not to mention the ending. Oh wait, I'm not there yet. The plot is full of ups and downs. It's even better than The Lost Code's plot, which is just boring and full of useless crap. It is actually fun to read along and visit along with favorite characters. The Dark Shore needs more dialects to make the book seem more future-ish, but then again many of the characters are from the past. So is kind of make sense, but the kids are from the future for us. (Okay, that's like a tongue twister. Without out the same letters in the beginning.)
I love the ending/cliffhanger. But as I think about it over and over again, I hate it. I thought it should have been like... but the ending was like... Yeah. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. I hope.
Characters:
Our old narrator, Owen is still going about that technician talk. Thank goodness it has decrease somewhat. The Dark Shore is an emotional journey for Owen (but not for me); I can't help but feel so sympathetic and sorry for him. Owen is braver, wiser, and smarter over as the series progress. He's still clueless with women, but then again, all men are stupid when it comes to women.
Let's take this moment to mourn our lost (dead) Atlantean. Even though you were really annoying, you turn out to be okay in the end.
The trouble with Lilly is that the author basically crush all of our hopes when Lilly isn't the Atlantean. (Wrong) And then author tells us otherwise. Mr. Author, please stick with the consistencies! I don't have a lot to say about Lilly, but I think she's an okay/normal/fairly average character.
Rating: Four out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
I love the action in The Dark Shore. It may be gruesome, but it is legen...wait for it...dary! (I had to go How I Met Your Mother.)
The plot is great! I love it and it's so addicting, not to mention the ending. Oh wait, I'm not there yet. The plot is full of ups and downs. It's even better than The Lost Code's plot, which is just boring and full of useless crap. It is actually fun to read along and visit along with favorite characters. The Dark Shore needs more dialects to make the book seem more future-ish, but then again many of the characters are from the past. So is kind of make sense, but the kids are from the future for us. (Okay, that's like a tongue twister. Without out the same letters in the beginning.)
I love the ending/cliffhanger. But as I think about it over and over again, I hate it. I thought it should have been like... but the ending was like... Yeah. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. I hope.
Characters:
Our old narrator, Owen is still going about that technician talk. Thank goodness it has decrease somewhat. The Dark Shore is an emotional journey for Owen (but not for me); I can't help but feel so sympathetic and sorry for him. Owen is braver, wiser, and smarter over as the series progress. He's still clueless with women, but then again, all men are stupid when it comes to women.
Let's take this moment to mourn our lost (dead) Atlantean. Even though you were really annoying, you turn out to be okay in the end.
The trouble with Lilly is that the author basically crush all of our hopes when Lilly isn't the Atlantean. (Wrong) And then author tells us otherwise. Mr. Author, please stick with the consistencies! I don't have a lot to say about Lilly, but I think she's an okay/normal/fairly average character.
Rating: Four out of Five
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March 25, 2014
Plot- 8.5/10
Characters- 8.5/10
Writing- 8.5/10
World Building- 9/10
TOTAL- 8.5/10
Quickie Review- I ripped through this one. The Dark Shore was another great book by Kevin Emerson, and this series continues to catch me by surprise. While The Dark Shore was not quite as good as The Lost Code, I still found myself enjoying it a lot. The plot didn't really go anywhere until the characters got to Desenna, and even then, I always found myself confused at everything that was going on, and all of the different sides to the war. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention? The last 100 pages were, however, an absolute whirlwind, full of plot twists. The only problem was that I guessed some of these twists earlier on in the book, because the author didn't drop the hints subtly enough. There are still questions that remain regarding who to trust as well as what the final marker has in store. The characters were a bit of a mixed bag for me. The introduction of Seven threw me off, because there was a love triangle that started to form there that I thought was unnecessary. I never really liked her, because Seven was too agressive with Owen. Owen was a good lead again. While we didn't quite see the evolution of his character that we saw in book 1, he still came off as a relatable guy. The only thing that bothered me was that he let Seven get as close as she did, even though I thought it was obvious that he liked Lilly more. The scene at the well between Owen and Lilly near the end of the book was very touching and heart-wrenching, but other than that, their relationship was not a main focus in this book, and I wish it was. I suspect we'll see more of them together in the last book. Leech was very rewarding here. His actions in book 1 were explained, and I couldn't help but like him more as the book went on. He turned out to be a very respectable character as well, and I tip my cap to the author for developing a very complex and realistic relationship between him and Owen. The writing was good, and again did a good job of depicting Owen's thoughts in a realistic manner, but as previously mentioned, the hints he dropped about upcoming twists were too easy to decipher, and I hope that he writes these more subtly in the last installment, to preserve the suspense and excitement. I look forward to the last book, and I hope the series will end stronger than it started.
Characters- 8.5/10
Writing- 8.5/10
World Building- 9/10
TOTAL- 8.5/10
Quickie Review- I ripped through this one. The Dark Shore was another great book by Kevin Emerson, and this series continues to catch me by surprise. While The Dark Shore was not quite as good as The Lost Code, I still found myself enjoying it a lot. The plot didn't really go anywhere until the characters got to Desenna, and even then, I always found myself confused at everything that was going on, and all of the different sides to the war. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention? The last 100 pages were, however, an absolute whirlwind, full of plot twists. The only problem was that I guessed some of these twists earlier on in the book, because the author didn't drop the hints subtly enough. There are still questions that remain regarding who to trust as well as what the final marker has in store. The characters were a bit of a mixed bag for me. The introduction of Seven threw me off, because there was a love triangle that started to form there that I thought was unnecessary. I never really liked her, because Seven was too agressive with Owen. Owen was a good lead again. While we didn't quite see the evolution of his character that we saw in book 1, he still came off as a relatable guy. The only thing that bothered me was that he let Seven get as close as she did, even though I thought it was obvious that he liked Lilly more. The scene at the well between Owen and Lilly near the end of the book was very touching and heart-wrenching, but other than that, their relationship was not a main focus in this book, and I wish it was. I suspect we'll see more of them together in the last book. Leech was very rewarding here. His actions in book 1 were explained, and I couldn't help but like him more as the book went on. He turned out to be a very respectable character as well, and I tip my cap to the author for developing a very complex and realistic relationship between him and Owen. The writing was good, and again did a good job of depicting Owen's thoughts in a realistic manner, but as previously mentioned, the hints he dropped about upcoming twists were too easy to decipher, and I hope that he writes these more subtly in the last installment, to preserve the suspense and excitement. I look forward to the last book, and I hope the series will end stronger than it started.
June 2, 2013
The Dark Shore was a really great edition to the Atlanteans series! I find this series really unique in its own way. The whole idea of the skulls is really interesting to read about. And the world building is pretty awesome. From the domes, to the sun, to the cryos, the gills, and the 'prophecy' really makes the story that much better! There was a lot going on in this book, some good and some bad, but I must say that I definitely enjoyed the installment and can't wait for the next.
In the beginning, I was a little confused on all that was going on because its been awhile since I've read The Lost Code, but I'm glad for the recap that comes a long every once in awhile. A lot happened in the beginning of the book. It was great! But at times, it was a bit of information overload. And I also like that we get a change of scenery :) I like the camp in book one, but to actually get to see what was outside the domes was a plus for me.
Owen was awesome in this book. We get to see him be his usual brave self, but we also got to see a lot of emotions from him that he doesn't usually show. I'm curious to see why Paul thinks he's the one that so special to his final plan. Leech was awesome! He really grew on me in this installment. He wasn't really the same guy he was in book one and I was so sad at the way things ended for him. Lily on the other hand fell off to me. She was too weird and too moody. It sort of annoyed me in a way, especially with how she pushed Owen away. And then there was Seven, who was really entertaining. I really don't understand why things ended like that with her either...
I loved how this installment started off with a bang, but at times within the story the pacing would slow down a little bit to much for me. And the romance wasn't all that great. I felt things could have been a bit better, the ending was kind of sweet but for the majority of the book I really wasn't feeling it.
Overall, it was a pretty good installment. There were some SHOCKING reveals that blew my mind! I was so not expecting that at all :D I can't wait to check out the next installment! I receive a copy for review from the author/publisher. All thoughts are my honest opinion :)
In the beginning, I was a little confused on all that was going on because its been awhile since I've read The Lost Code, but I'm glad for the recap that comes a long every once in awhile. A lot happened in the beginning of the book. It was great! But at times, it was a bit of information overload. And I also like that we get a change of scenery :) I like the camp in book one, but to actually get to see what was outside the domes was a plus for me.
Owen was awesome in this book. We get to see him be his usual brave self, but we also got to see a lot of emotions from him that he doesn't usually show. I'm curious to see why Paul thinks he's the one that so special to his final plan. Leech was awesome! He really grew on me in this installment. He wasn't really the same guy he was in book one and I was so sad at the way things ended for him. Lily on the other hand fell off to me. She was too weird and too moody. It sort of annoyed me in a way, especially with how she pushed Owen away. And then there was Seven, who was really entertaining. I really don't understand why things ended like that with her either...
I loved how this installment started off with a bang, but at times within the story the pacing would slow down a little bit to much for me. And the romance wasn't all that great. I felt things could have been a bit better, the ending was kind of sweet but for the majority of the book I really wasn't feeling it.
Overall, it was a pretty good installment. There were some SHOCKING reveals that blew my mind! I was so not expecting that at all :D I can't wait to check out the next installment! I receive a copy for review from the author/publisher. All thoughts are my honest opinion :)
January 9, 2015
I think I'm going to give this one 3.5 stars. It would be 4.5 maybe a full 5 stars but I had a huge problem with the situation between Seven and Owen and it kept me from enjoying a large portion of The Dark Shore.
If you've read my review of The Lost Code (right here) you know one of my favorite things was how Owen was besotted with Lilly. He'd get kind of awkward whenever she was around, having trouble thinking clearly, and I believe blushing and stammering a time or two. And I loved that! It was adorable and made him really likable to me. But then in The Dark Shore that all stopped and he seemed to stop caring about Lilly and just moved on to a new girl Seven. I just really did not care for the direction the romance took with this love triangle. Now I don't have anything against love triangles. I love them plenty of times. But this one I hated! Seven did not feel like a real person but a one dimensional doll cutout created for the drama of Owen being with someone other then Lilly as filler while we wait for the action at the end of the story. Now there is a reason for Seven to be a part of the story other then the romance (she's one of the three) but there was barely anything about that. There was one scene where she and Owen give death rites to people on there death bed but other than that all I saw of Seven's personality was that she likes to party. This whole situation reminds me of The Young World but thankful to a less extant because I sooo couldn't have handled another Young World. (You'll find my rant filled review here)
Nice things are that the action and creepiness get turned up a notch! There's an awesome twist that I did not see coming at all but that I totally adored and really makes it seem more science fictiony. Also we get to have more insight into Owen family which I really enjoyed.
Overall Dark Shore is a decent sequel but I really could have done without the love triangle. I do have high hopes for The Far Dawn now that
If you've read my review of The Lost Code (right here) you know one of my favorite things was how Owen was besotted with Lilly. He'd get kind of awkward whenever she was around, having trouble thinking clearly, and I believe blushing and stammering a time or two. And I loved that! It was adorable and made him really likable to me. But then in The Dark Shore that all stopped and he seemed to stop caring about Lilly and just moved on to a new girl Seven. I just really did not care for the direction the romance took with this love triangle. Now I don't have anything against love triangles. I love them plenty of times. But this one I hated! Seven did not feel like a real person but a one dimensional doll cutout created for the drama of Owen being with someone other then Lilly as filler while we wait for the action at the end of the story. Now there is a reason for Seven to be a part of the story other then the romance (she's one of the three) but there was barely anything about that. There was one scene where she and Owen give death rites to people on there death bed but other than that all I saw of Seven's personality was that she likes to party. This whole situation reminds me of The Young World but thankful to a less extant because I sooo couldn't have handled another Young World. (You'll find my rant filled review here)
Nice things are that the action and creepiness get turned up a notch! There's an awesome twist that I did not see coming at all but that I totally adored and really makes it seem more science fictiony. Also we get to have more insight into Owen family which I really enjoyed.
Overall Dark Shore is a decent sequel but I really could have done without the love triangle. I do have high hopes for The Far Dawn now that
April 30, 2014
This review is also posted at http://readingnookandcranny.blogspot....
For such a long, drawn out book, but the end of the novel I felt like little if nothing of real importance happened. Sure, Emerson tried to cram a bunch of last minute twists and revelations in the end, but by that point most of the revelations were hardly relevant or didn't seem to be that important. It felt like Emerson through in a bunch of unnecessary curve balls in the end for perhaps a shock and awe effect since the first 3/4 of the novel was so dull, but it was definitely too little too late by that point.
While The Lost Code was nothing special, it at least showed potential. Emerson built himself an unique world for the fans of the likes of Percy Jackson, but he failed to cash in on the plot potential in The Dark Shore. The characters, through 470 pages here and another 400+ in The Lost Code still never got any substance or depth.
The Dark Shore introduces a new setting and some new characters, but it felt like the same story all over again. At the end of the novel, the plot was exactly the same as where we left off in The Lost Code, and all the new characters introduced failed to make a lasting impression or importance. I find it difficult to name one new character that is actually still relevant to the story by the end of the novel.
The Dark Shore definitely took a step back from The Lost Code, which wasn't the strongest debut novels of a series to begin with. And in The Dark Shore, Emerson threw in a seemingly ridiculous teenage love triangle as well, just for good measure, that did not help either.
While the far-fetched elements of The Lost Code were difficult to believe, as least they showed some unique potential. in The Dark Shore, Emerson continues to drawn those elements to such extremes that the novel became so much of a fantasy set in a real world type setting that the novel became difficult to read, and I found myself lost to the series, probably for good. I may try the final installment in the series, but I am not holding any high expectations for it.
For such a long, drawn out book, but the end of the novel I felt like little if nothing of real importance happened. Sure, Emerson tried to cram a bunch of last minute twists and revelations in the end, but by that point most of the revelations were hardly relevant or didn't seem to be that important. It felt like Emerson through in a bunch of unnecessary curve balls in the end for perhaps a shock and awe effect since the first 3/4 of the novel was so dull, but it was definitely too little too late by that point.
While The Lost Code was nothing special, it at least showed potential. Emerson built himself an unique world for the fans of the likes of Percy Jackson, but he failed to cash in on the plot potential in The Dark Shore. The characters, through 470 pages here and another 400+ in The Lost Code still never got any substance or depth.
The Dark Shore introduces a new setting and some new characters, but it felt like the same story all over again. At the end of the novel, the plot was exactly the same as where we left off in The Lost Code, and all the new characters introduced failed to make a lasting impression or importance. I find it difficult to name one new character that is actually still relevant to the story by the end of the novel.
The Dark Shore definitely took a step back from The Lost Code, which wasn't the strongest debut novels of a series to begin with. And in The Dark Shore, Emerson threw in a seemingly ridiculous teenage love triangle as well, just for good measure, that did not help either.
While the far-fetched elements of The Lost Code were difficult to believe, as least they showed some unique potential. in The Dark Shore, Emerson continues to drawn those elements to such extremes that the novel became so much of a fantasy set in a real world type setting that the novel became difficult to read, and I found myself lost to the series, probably for good. I may try the final installment in the series, but I am not holding any high expectations for it.
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