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megobennett's review
2.0
Super slow start, and as the book went on the plot line got harder to follow. It jumps around a lot. Could've been a cool book, but not so much....
theawkwardbookw's review
3.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
7 teenagers, including Will Besting, have been sent to Fort Eden, an institution that is supposed to cure them of their crippling phobias. When Will escapes when they arrive, he hides in a bunker covered in monitors that show the entire camp. Using these monitors, he is able to watch the 6 other teens go through their ' fear rooms' and come out cured of their phobias. The only thing is, they are now all experiencing weird pains and symptoms after they've been cured. Something isn't right and Will is determined to find out what it is.
The book is told from Will's perspective, which was a nice change from the typical female POV in most YA books. The book is said to be a psychological thriller, but I didn't find it that thrilling or interesting until the last 100 pages or so when the plot twists came into effect. I found it to be rather boring learning about the 6 other teenagers and their fears. The way the big revelations were revealed only at the end of the book instead of through out the story bothered me, I felt a bit cheated to be honest. There was minimal character and plot development. The artwork in the book was a pretty cool twist though!
There's a website (http://enterdarkeden.com/ ) associated with the book which was interesting to look at after I read the book. It includes little videos and audio files that really help you envision the story and camp more.
7 teenagers, including Will Besting, have been sent to Fort Eden, an institution that is supposed to cure them of their crippling phobias. When Will escapes when they arrive, he hides in a bunker covered in monitors that show the entire camp. Using these monitors, he is able to watch the 6 other teens go through their ' fear rooms' and come out cured of their phobias. The only thing is, they are now all experiencing weird pains and symptoms after they've been cured. Something isn't right and Will is determined to find out what it is.
The book is told from Will's perspective, which was a nice change from the typical female POV in most YA books. The book is said to be a psychological thriller, but I didn't find it that thrilling or interesting until the last 100 pages or so when the plot twists came into effect. I found it to be rather boring learning about the 6 other teenagers and their fears. The way the big revelations were revealed only at the end of the book instead of through out the story bothered me, I felt a bit cheated to be honest. There was minimal character and plot development. The artwork in the book was a pretty cool twist though!
There's a website (http://enterdarkeden.com/ ) associated with the book which was interesting to look at after I read the book. It includes little videos and audio files that really help you envision the story and camp more.
ashlikesbooks's review
2.0
***I do my reviews in the form of questions***
What made me pick this book up:
I have no idea where this book even came from. I've had it on my bookshelf forever.
What did I like about the cover:
I like that the letters look like they're spray painted on the wall. That's about it.
What made me read this book:
I guess I just got tired of seeing it on my bookshelf... Just kidding. Like I said, it's been on my shelf for forever, and it matched for a task. So I figured it was time. The synopsis also sounded pretty unique.
What did I like the most:
Well the mystery of it really. I wanted to keep reading for two reasons. The first because I wanted to find out what everyone's fears were. I just had to know what had them so terrified that they had to be "cured". The second thing I needed to know was what happened when they were cured and how the cure worked. I just had to know!
What didn't I like:
I really wanted to like this book. But I could not connect with the characters at all. And the ending was just plain weird. So so so so weird. It didn't match the book at all. It just didn't make any sense. I feel like this book could have been so much more than it was.
Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
Nope, I have no desire to read the rest of the series at all. It was just too weird.
I really expected more, and it just fell short.
What made me pick this book up:
I have no idea where this book even came from. I've had it on my bookshelf forever.
What did I like about the cover:
I like that the letters look like they're spray painted on the wall. That's about it.
What made me read this book:
I guess I just got tired of seeing it on my bookshelf... Just kidding. Like I said, it's been on my shelf for forever, and it matched for a task. So I figured it was time. The synopsis also sounded pretty unique.
What did I like the most:
Well the mystery of it really. I wanted to keep reading for two reasons. The first because I wanted to find out what everyone's fears were. I just had to know what had them so terrified that they had to be "cured". The second thing I needed to know was what happened when they were cured and how the cure worked. I just had to know!
What didn't I like:
I really wanted to like this book. But I could not connect with the characters at all. And the ending was just plain weird. So so so so weird. It didn't match the book at all. It just didn't make any sense. I feel like this book could have been so much more than it was.
Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
Nope, I have no desire to read the rest of the series at all. It was just too weird.
I really expected more, and it just fell short.
folklaureate's review
3.0
More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews
I had mixed opinions while reading this book.
As the reader you're introduced to Will Besting, our main male protag that narrates the book through his eyes. From the very beginning you notice that he's reclusive, sarcastic, and a bit of an kleptomania where he going into his therapists computer and steals voice recording sessions of those who are labeled as "The 7" otherwise known as the teenagers chosen to venture to Fort Eden, to cure them of their fears.
Now some things really didn't sit well with me. During most of the duration of the book Will is sitting in some sort of cellar with tv's stationed around, just watching. With each character they're sent to a room to overcome their fear. The first one it's pretty cool, everyone after that goes through the came procedure, different fear. It was kind of a letdown. The art work in the book was interesting as well, though it's upsetting when the artwork gives away each fear for each character. It is kinda like Rick Riordian's chapter names; they give away what's going to happen before you really read the chapter.
The paranormal twist at the end though did catch me off guard. Though looking back at it, the paranormal nosedive kind of remind me of Mara Dyer's where out of nowhere BAMM! Paranormal initiative sets in. Carman makes interesting use out of it, and definitely threw me off guard. As well, the pace of the books (when they focused off Will and on the others at Fort Eden) was a nice pace that kept up my interest.
I had mixed opinions while reading this book.
As the reader you're introduced to Will Besting, our main male protag that narrates the book through his eyes. From the very beginning you notice that he's reclusive, sarcastic, and a bit of an kleptomania where he going into his therapists computer and steals voice recording sessions of those who are labeled as "The 7" otherwise known as the teenagers chosen to venture to Fort Eden, to cure them of their fears.
Now some things really didn't sit well with me. During most of the duration of the book Will is sitting in some sort of cellar with tv's stationed around, just watching. With each character they're sent to a room to overcome their fear. The first one it's pretty cool, everyone after that goes through the came procedure, different fear. It was kind of a letdown. The art work in the book was interesting as well, though it's upsetting when the artwork gives away each fear for each character. It is kinda like Rick Riordian's chapter names; they give away what's going to happen before you really read the chapter.
The paranormal twist at the end though did catch me off guard. Though looking back at it, the paranormal nosedive kind of remind me of Mara Dyer's where out of nowhere BAMM! Paranormal initiative sets in. Carman makes interesting use out of it, and definitely threw me off guard. As well, the pace of the books (when they focused off Will and on the others at Fort Eden) was a nice pace that kept up my interest.
bluehairedlibrarian's review
3.0
Upon finishing Dark Eden, I was left with a similar feeling I often get after watching foreign science fiction films: there was something about this that I just did not get.
Full review forthcoming.
Full review forthcoming.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Really good book, very weird and different, and interesting! Though might not read the 2nd book, not sure right now.
sophiesstories's review
4.0
REAAALLY good book, though the ending was kinda dissapointing. Oh, and I didn't like Marissa.
lyzette_sotero's review
4.0
Everything was a mess, crazy actually, until i reached the last chapter and the author wholeheartedly gave all the answers i have been asking for since i read the first chapter throughout the last. It was a fast-read, fast-paced and well crafted novel with turns that plays with your ability to assume and predict. Intense and dark but beautifully written.
atschakfoert's review
3.0
Started out well but by the end I was bored and disappointed. I don't think this should be considered YA, though that's how it's categorized. I'd say it's more of a tween read.