Atherton #3: The Dark Planet
Atherton #3: The Dark Planetby Patrick CarmanLittle, Brown Young Readers - May 2009Well, just because I thought everything was wrapped up all neat and tidy at the end of Rivers of Fire, doesn't mean that it was! Good ol' Edgar has found something else to climb - the outside of Atherton all the way down to the bottom! Only he can reach the loading dock, where the ship to bring people to the Dark Planet would be. He has to reach the Dark Planet to save... um... it? Atherton? You know I never really quite understood that part.Whereas the first two books seemed to also focus on the adults, the third and final book of Atherton was primarily kids. Edgar goes off on his own, Samuel and Isabel are wandering through the inside of Atherton and we are introduced to people (and kids) at the Silo, a place on the Dark Planet that isn't all that friendly. We meet four new kids, Aggie and Teagan, two tough little girls and two little boys, Vasher and Landon. There are also adult-baddies who beat the kids when they aren't working fast enough (or, you know, for fun.).I didn't like any of the new characters at all. I'm sort of sad about that because I grew to love the adults on Atherton and was sad when they weren't prominent in this story.While Edgar is trying to solve the puzzles left for him by Dr. Hardin on the Dark Planet, Samuel and Isabel are doing their part to unlock the mysteries on Atherton which will help Edgar return home.There is continuous action in this final book. Never a dull moment, though I did have to re-read certain parts to try and understand what was going on at times. I found this book slightly more complex and confusing than the first two. And I will be honest - I haven't a clue what the heck happened at the end with Gossamer and the little white crystal thingamabobs and snow? Was it snow? I have no idea!I'm going to have to re-read that part again, I think. This series is certainly one that is re-readable because you can miss things the first time around, I know I did! The themes and issues in this book are also very deep, though not as dark as in the second book. I don't even think anyone died in this story... I'm trying to think back, but I am pretty sure I made it through death-free!This is such a complex series! It keeps you on your toes that's for sure. I very much enjoyed Patrick Carman's writing and am eager to read more of his works!For additional information on Patrick Carman and the Atherton series, as well as other exciting extras such as excerpts, virtual tours, videos and free downloads, visit AthertonSeries.com and PatrickCarman.com. Readers can play a game by visiting UnlockDrHardingsBrain.com. (which is pretty cool - the first book has a bunch of codes at the end that you can use!)Atherton trilogy