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wrentheblurry's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I read this to my 13-year old son, who also gives it 3.5 stars. He liked it enough that he requested we read the second one in the series, which is fine with me.
The world of Atherton features three levels, which correspond to its inhabitants social standing. So, the people who live on the uppermost section, the Highlanders, control the water supply and wield all the power. Those in the middle (Tabletop) live to harvest figs for the Highlanders. And the bottom section, well, you'll find out what sort of entity makes that place its home.
The story follows Edgar, a boy who works in the fig grove of Tabletop, and has a knack for climbing. He ventures where others from his area have never been, and starts to learn more and more about his world. All the while the layers of Atherton are changing, in a way that will affect all of its inhabitants.
I liked the book, though I found it a bit slow in places. It possibly fails the Bechdel test, and at the very least could use more love in the female character area. Still, it's a different sort of story, and Carman writes well, so we'll continue the series.
I read this to my 13-year old son, who also gives it 3.5 stars. He liked it enough that he requested we read the second one in the series, which is fine with me.
The world of Atherton features three levels, which correspond to its inhabitants social standing. So, the people who live on the uppermost section, the Highlanders, control the water supply and wield all the power. Those in the middle (Tabletop) live to harvest figs for the Highlanders. And the bottom section, well, you'll find out what sort of entity makes that place its home.
The story follows Edgar, a boy who works in the fig grove of Tabletop, and has a knack for climbing. He ventures where others from his area have never been, and starts to learn more and more about his world. All the while the layers of Atherton are changing, in a way that will affect all of its inhabitants.
I liked the book, though I found it a bit slow in places. It possibly fails the Bechdel test, and at the very least could use more love in the female character area. Still, it's a different sort of story, and Carman writes well, so we'll continue the series.
sourbutchkid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
This is one of the books I read as a kid that I completely forgot about until I randomly remembered it years down the line. I think at most I’ve probably read this series twice, and I only had a vague memory of the premise so it really feels like I’m reading it for the first time again. The world building is absolutely amazing, and every little new bit of information I learned as I read just made me want to read more. I loved the illustrations and the way the book was set up (letting us get little glimpses into the conversations between Dr. Kincaid and Dr. Harding really added to the mystery). I love the messages about class and environmental issues, and I think they’re presented in a way that is easy for younger kids to understand while also not being too heavy handed. I think this series is an absolute gem and I wish I saw people talking about it more. While I was reading I also couldn’t help but think that an adaptation of this would be kind of amazing…. obviously it would have to be done well, but the potential is definitely there! I can’t wait to read the next two :)
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
4.0
Atherton was created as a refuge from Earth for a select few. There are three levels on Atherton: Highlands (for the privileged), Tabletop (the workers), and the Flatlands (a seemingly barren land with no inhabitants). Eleven-year old Edgar is an orphan who works in a grove of fig trees on Tabletop and is an expert climber. He has one memory of his father: his father tells him to look for a leather bound book. Edgar finds the book, but cannot read it (only inhabitants of the Highlands are taught to read and write). He climbs his way to the Highlands and finds a boy his age willing to read the diary. What Edgar finds are catastrophic events predicted for Atherton.
A compelling read with sweet characters (for the most part). I think this is better than the Elyon series.
Grades 4-6.
A compelling read with sweet characters (for the most part). I think this is better than the Elyon series.
Grades 4-6.
thede5tiny's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mak_p's review against another edition
5.0
I rate this book five stars because it is full of adventure and rule-breaking. This is the first book of three and I am excited to read them all. The book is set in the future around 2105, when the Earth becomes a wasteland full of pollution where people can't even be outside for very long and it makes you wonder if that could really happen. Atherton was created by a mad scientist who hoped to create another place for humans to live, but can that scientist be trusted? The book is written in third person omniscient, which means that the narrator is outside the story and knows everything including the characters thoughts and feelings. A boy around the age of eleven named Edgar is the main character of this story. Edgar lives on Atherton, which is a small planet that orbits the Earth just like the moon does. He was once told by a man to look for Atherton on the cliffs and one day it will come to him. Even though Edgar had no idea what that meant, he continued climbing the cliffs (which is against the rules) every night attempting to come upon the Atherton that the man spoke of. One day he finds a small symbol above a hole on the side of the cliff and in that hole there was a book and that is where his journey begins. I also love it how every once in a while there is a little drawing that shows you what something looks like and has little foot notes by it explaining what the picture is. Read this book if you like adventures, action and to find out what Edgar does next.
kevinweitzel44's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book!
However, I have a few grievances.
Let's start positive though!
I love the characters and narration, it's told from a unique viewpoint and I really enjoyed the writing style. The character's were interesting and lovable and I enjoyed being on the journey with them. Along with that I loved the plot, counterplots, subplots, and different aspects that made the story more visual, it was really helpful for the storytelling.
Negatives:
There were quite a few grammatical errors that bother me due to my OCD and because I'm very upset when an editor misses it. They said Dr. Harding instead of Dr. Kincaid at one point TOTALLY throwing the story off and missed a few "ands", and "the's", etc. In the beginning of book 2 they say Edger instead of Edgar and refer to the book as Inversion instead of Rivers of Fire. Oh editor...
However, the story was very interesting, my only issue is also that I'd like to see it more in a young adult setting. The juvenile reading-level made the story almost TOO innocent, something this catastrophic would have more damage and bloodshed and death etc. The social classes and animals and whatnot would be more intense and I'd actually enjoy a bit more climatic action and intensity.
However, all in all a remarkably enjoyable read, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
However, I have a few grievances.
Let's start positive though!
I love the characters and narration, it's told from a unique viewpoint and I really enjoyed the writing style. The character's were interesting and lovable and I enjoyed being on the journey with them. Along with that I loved the plot, counterplots, subplots, and different aspects that made the story more visual, it was really helpful for the storytelling.
Negatives:
There were quite a few grammatical errors that bother me due to my OCD and because I'm very upset when an editor misses it. They said Dr. Harding instead of Dr. Kincaid at one point TOTALLY throwing the story off and missed a few "ands", and "the's", etc. In the beginning of book 2 they say Edger instead of Edgar and refer to the book as Inversion instead of Rivers of Fire. Oh editor...
However, the story was very interesting, my only issue is also that I'd like to see it more in a young adult setting. The juvenile reading-level made the story almost TOO innocent, something this catastrophic would have more damage and bloodshed and death etc. The social classes and animals and whatnot would be more intense and I'd actually enjoy a bit more climatic action and intensity.
However, all in all a remarkably enjoyable read, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
kiikki's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
desethers's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book as a kid and I remember I couldn't put it down.