Dark Inside

October 1, 2011
After an apocalypse of devastating earthquakes and murderous mobs, four teenagers struggle to survive. Earthquakes destroy North America's entire west coast, collapsing buildings and killing thousands, but that's the easy part. Apparently triggered by the quakes, the darkness inherent in humanity emerges, turning most survivors into a semi-intelligent mob with one purpose: to murder every "normal" person they can find. Aries in Vancouver, Mason in Calgary, Clementine in Iowa and Michael in Colorado all travel until their stories converge, experiencing constant danger, meeting others along the way and uncovering their own hidden strengths. Aries, for example, begins as a chatty adolescent but quickly emerges as a natural leader. Guilt-ridden Michael learns to forgive himself, and mournful Mason learns to love, while Clementine perseveres, although enigmatic Daniel just might be on the other side. Roberts makes readers care about each of them, masterfully keeping suspense high as the teens search for food, clothing and hiding places while fighting off attacks. The simple details of survival, such as living without electricity and refrigeration, fascinate as much as the fight scenes. Overall, a spirit of optimism wins through the post-apocalyptic despair. The four separate threads share enough common elements that, although distinct, they merge into a coherent narrative. Well-balanced, realistic suspense. (Post-apocalyptic suspense. 12 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

December 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-This apocalyptic novel combines elements of the movie 2012 (massive earthquakes destroying major cities and civilization as we know it) and Stephen King's The Stand (Doubleday, 1978) (evil possessing large groups of people who seek to wipe out other survivors). The story alternates between four teens and a fifth character referred to as "Nothing." The teens initially have no connection to one another but circumstances drive them together as they try to navigate the aftermath of the massive quakes and the marauding bands of evil-infected survivors. "Nothing" is presumably the inner voice of one of the ancillary characters who is nearly, but not quite, overcome by the evil driving others to murderous madness. Lots of brutal action will hold teens' attention but on some levels the story just doesn't click. The nature of the force that can cause massive quakes and simultaneously possess millions of people is never even hinted at, much less explained. Characterization is weak to the point that readers are unsure of who is speaking as the perspective changes. The dialogue, setting, and many other elements are unremarkable at best. Recommended only if there is a high demand for end-of-the-world stories.-Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2011
Grades 9-12 It starts with earthquakes, six of them all over the world, each measuring at least 9.5 on the Richter Scale. They leave unimaginable devastation in their wakeand something else unimaginable, an evil that seems to spring up from the darkness inside the newly exposed earth. In this post-apocalyptic world, four teenagers survive, each searching for sanctuary. Will they find it? Will they find each other? The odds are against it, but hope survives, nevertheless. Robert's first novel explores these issues in dramatic and sometimes violent fashion as she switches from teen to teen, charting their respective courses and doing a good job of giving each a separate and distinct identity. The relentless grimness of the new world she posits speaks volumes about human nature and its capacity for both good and evil. Readers may care less about that, however, than the suspense and frissons offered up in abundance by this successful debut.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)