The Dark Planet

October 1, 2009
Gr 5-8-In this final installment in this dystopian trilogy, Edgar scales Atherton's underbelly to reach its long-forgotten docking station. Boarding a mysterious vessel, he travels to the polluted Dark Planet's "Station Seven" and its "Silo." Run by hardened Commander Judix and two cruel taskmasters, the Silo's labor force is made up of children under the age of 12, who produce food for the planet's sickly inhabitants. Edgar escapes with four Silo workers and a crucial Silo powder block. On Dr. Harding's greatest creation, Atherton, Edgar reunites with Isabel and Samuel, who've once again adventured inside their world doing their part to help. Three plotlines, facilitated by Dr. Harding's convoluted planning, converge to one final revelation and the fruition of his ultimate goalcleansing Earth. This is primarily action-driven sci-fi with unique settings populated by creative creatures. Familiar and new characters (including one very cool dragon) maintain readers' interest (none more so than the deceased Dr. Harding, whose childhood home and firebug holograms reveal a more brilliant, kinder man pre-madness). Once again, Carman's introduction provides background information and character biographies for readers unfamiliar with the series. He successfully incorporates similar information throughout the novel, but reading the books in order is recommended. Pencil illustrations, many appearing like full-page notes, better explain Atherton and Dark Planet phenomena."Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ"

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