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Dark Life: Book 1 (1) Hardcover – May 1, 2010

4.6 out of 5 stars 448 ratings

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A thrilling futuristic adventure set deep undersea, Dark Life follows the settlers of the world's first subsea settlement as they defend their homesteads against a brazen band of outlaws.

Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family's homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws' attacks on government supply ships and settlements...
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–10—In this futuristic coming-of-age tale, 15-year-old Ty has spent his whole life in a deep-sea colony on the ocean floor. His family and the other pioneers provide fish and other food for the Commonwealth citizens who live aboveground in stacked cities following earthquakes and tsunamis that destroyed much of the Earth. The pioneers chafe under the harsh rule of the Commonwealth, a situation made worse when those who live subsea are charged with capturing a gang of pirates that has been terrorizing Commonwealth ships and pioneer homesteads. Ty is swept up in the hunt for the bandits when Gemma, a "Topsider" orphan, comes to his community to search for her missing brother, who may have ties to the pirates. First-time author Falls has created a riveting adventure story that action fans and reluctant readers will enjoy for its fast pace. Teens will like the budding romance between Ty and Gemma and the marvelous, imaginative depictions of life on the ocean floor. Minor characters, such as Ty's neighbors and younger sister, are fully fleshed out in their few short scenes. Although the identity of Gemma's brother and the subplot regarding his past with the pioneers' doctor are hastily explained and not completely satisfying, this is a small point that doesn't detract from the creative setting, adventurous plot, and likable teen heroes. Readers will cheer Ty on in his pursuit of the pirates and clamor for more tales of undersea life.—Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Sixteen-year-old Ty, first child born to the pioneers who live in the depths of the ocean, has little patience for topsiders (land dwellers) until he meets feisty Gemma, who immediately enlists his help to locate her missing older brother. Their search is interrupted by pirate attacks of the notorious Seablite Gang and an ultimatum from the Commonwealth Government (located topside) that makes the pioneers responsible for stopping the raids. Ty and Gemma uncover connections between the pirates, illicit medical experiments, and Gemma's missing sibling, who happens to have secret supernatural gifts—like Ty. Although set in an undersea future, this rousing adventure has all the hallmarks of a western, including outlaws, homesteaders, and plenty of shoot-'em-up action (only with harpoonlike weapons). Good guys and bad guys are fairly obvious, as is the outcome, but the exotic setting and well-conceived details about undersea living, along with likable characters and a minor surprise at the end, will keep readers turning the pages. Try this with the ecofiction of David Klass. Grades 6-9. --Cindy Welch

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Press; 1st edition (May 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0545178142
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0545178143
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 690L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 448 ratings

About the author

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Kat Falls
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Kat Falls writes sci-fi thrillers for tweens and teens. In her Dark Life series, Kat takes middle school readers on action-packed adventures under the sea. The series was featured on The Today Show; translated into 18 languages; and optioned for film by Disney. Her YA series, Inhuman, a dystopian romance, received a starred review from Kirkus and made the Tome It List for "clean" teen reads. Kat teaches at Northwestern University and presents at schools and writing conferences across the country. She lives in Evanston, IL with her husband, two dogs, and a very old cat. Her three children are young adults now, but still influential in her creative process.

Find out more at Katfalls.net

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
448 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an excellent middle reader that's fast-paced and full of adventure, with interesting underwater descriptions and engaging characters in a different setting. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it's well-written science fiction. Customers appreciate the book's suitability for upper middle grade readers and its creativity.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

33 customers mention "Readability"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent for middle readers, with one describing it as a highly readable YA sci-fi novel.

"...Therefore, this would be an excellent book for middle readers and early high school students. My first thought as I read the book, was "Yeah!..." Read more

"...I found it here on Amazon and read it, it is one of the best books I've ever read even now!..." Read more

"Loved every bit of this book. It had everything that I love in a book: a bit of mystery, fiction, love and adventure...." Read more

"...Great book." Read more

24 customers mention "Adventure"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the adventure in the book, which is full of excitement and action, with one customer noting how it smoothly transitions from adventure to romance.

"...This book would keep any boy reading. The story is also mature enough for an older teen with a lower reading level. And the exciting part?..." Read more

"...this novel with no idea what it was about other that it being science fiction and set in the ocean, and what I got was so much more...." Read more

"...For the most part, life in the territory is good...." Read more

"...There is an innocent undertone of romance in this story, where women in the frontier are as uncommon and sought-after as the Old West...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it brilliant and easy to understand, with one customer noting it isn't overly complex.

"...The writing is fairly simple, and while the story is full, it isn't overly complex...." Read more

"...I love, love, love marine biology and was delighted with language, slang and snippets of underwater organism characteristics throughout this..." Read more

"...not only for young adults but for anyone who likes well-written science fiction with engaging characters in a different setting." Read more

"...This futuristic Western YA comes with a great male narrator, shifty characters, claustrophobic setting, some genuinely creepy moments, and the first..." Read more

10 customers mention "Science"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the underwater descriptions in the book, with one review highlighting the incredible underwater civilization with kelp gardens, while another appreciates the deep sea exploration technology.

"...Who doesn't want to live in an incredible underwater civilization with kelp gardens, fish farms, and other "deeply" exciting adventures!..." Read more

"...She also weaves in scientific terms and observations effortlessly in a way of easy understanding so you don’t feel like a dope. And the story line…...." Read more

"...will enjoy the cool undersea creatures and all the tech that goes with deep sea exploration...." Read more

"...-The images of glow-in-the-dark fish -The concept of an underwater frontier, a perfect followup to Patricia C. Wrede's The Thirteenth Child..." Read more

5 customers mention "Literacy level"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the literacy level of the book, with one mentioning it is suitable for upper middle grade students, while another notes it is great for both boys and girls.

"...this would be an excellent book for middle readers and early high school students. My first thought as I read the book, was "Yeah!..." Read more

"...the protagonists, it is clean enough that I consider it suitable for upper middle grade...." Read more

"...Good for boys and girls. Especially teens. Read it." Read more

"Such a great read for boys & girls!! Exciting story and series - great writing!" Read more

5 customers mention "Pace"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the fast pace of the book, with one noting that it wastes no time jumping into action.

"...With its fast pace and mystery, I heartily recommend Dark Life for advanced readers 10+, and avid lovers of boylit (including me)." Read more

"The book wastes no time jumping into action and the cute young love is enough to melt your heart. I am excited to start the next book...." Read more

"...The students all enjoy the fast pace." Read more

"A good read. Quick and enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the sequel. Recommended for people who like bioshock or similar games" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the engaging characters in different settings, with one customer highlighting the author's ability to give depth to younger characters.

"...Falls is also very good at giving depth to her younger characters, capturing the feel of both what it is like to be that age and what it would be..." Read more

"...Things I loved: -The main character's hobby (you'll have to read a few chapters to find out what it is)..." Read more

"...This futuristic Western YA comes with a great male narrator, shifty characters, claustrophobic setting, some genuinely creepy moments, and the first..." Read more

"...however, pulled me in immediately with a compelling plot, believable characters, shocking twists, and a scientific element." Read more

3 customers mention "Creativity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, describing it as original and unique.

"This book kept me interested the whole time. I was never bored. It was original and I think most people will enjoy reading it." Read more

"Great book. creative and unpredictable. No useless profanity either." Read more

"Exciting. Unique. Fun...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013
    With science fiction exploring so many different realms, it is no wonder it has take YA so long to get into the ocean! Who doesn't want to live in an incredible underwater civilization with kelp gardens, fish farms, and other "deeply" exciting adventures!

    Dark Life by Kat Falls starts off with a premise that the world has been largely flooded due to global warming, and most of the submerged East Coast has broken off the continent and slipped into a deep underwater ravine. In a world where space is now limited and families are lucky to have one tiny room in a concrete jungle, civilization has found a way to live on the ocean floor. In the Dark, as the underwater civilizations are called, a person can earn huge homesteads in exchange for a few years working the land for food for the Topsiders.

    Ty's parents were two of the scientists and engineers who put together the Dark, and Ty was the first child born undersea. It is rumored that children born undersea were developing special gifts- Dark Gifts- but if they do, none will admit to it. When Gemma, a Topsider, comes barreling down undersea looking for her brother, Ty gets swept into helping her. But the Dark is being terrorized by a group of outlaws who raid shipments, but have recently started attacking homesteads as well. Now the Topside government has told the Dark that they either catch the outlaws themselves, or the undersea homesteaders will be forced to leave their land and move Topside. Ty and Gemma get caught up in the search for the outlaws, the truth of what happened to her brother, and the fight to keep the undersea settlements safe.

    This is an immediately interesting book. From the very first page, Falls' world is gripping, exciting, and a very interesting possibility! The technology behind the underwater architecture, travel, and ways of life are really intriguing! The story is also full of adventure and excitement, with multiple conflicts taking place. It has also been described as post-apocalyptic or dystopian, but I think it is more on the adventure/science fiction realm.

    The writing is fairly simple, and while the story is full, it isn't overly complex. Therefore, this would be an excellent book for middle readers and early high school students. My first thought as I read the book, was "Yeah! A book for boys!" It is so hard to find books that aren't inherently bent towards teen girls, so it is so exciting when you find one that works for both boys and girls! This book would keep any boy reading. The story is also mature enough for an older teen with a lower reading level. And the exciting part? While it ends with a good conclusion and doesn't leave you hanging, it is slated to be a series! I look forward to reading the next book, and I can't wait to pull my students into this fantastic Underwater Adventure!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
    I went into this novel with no idea what it was about other that it being science fiction and set in the ocean, and what I got was so much more.

    A futuristic adventure that weaves elements of ocean life into every facet of the story line tickled my girlish heart. I love, love, love marine biology and was delighted with language, slang and snippets of underwater organism characteristics throughout this original tale.

    Told through Ty’s POV we experience how the human race has adapted to live in the oceans depths – living quarters and sea floor farms… with all the dangers that come from the undersurface habitat. Things that bite, shock and sting, not to mention drowning or being crushed by pressure. And if that wasn’t fascinating enough, politics, a missing person investigation and family life are thrown into the mix. Ty is a confident character with an adventurous spirit which kept me enthralled.

    Additionally, his younger sister Zoe and newcomer Gemma (from the mainland topside) add strong female characters to help him along his journey. I particularly enjoyed the portrayals of females in this sense, each adding valuable support to our protagonist, but to be reckoned with in their own right.

    Kat Falls has a writing style that draws you along – the tension keeps building to culmination. She also weaves in scientific terms and observations effortlessly in a way of easy understanding so you don’t feel like a dope. And the story line…. I seriously did not know what to expect from one moment to the next, Kat kept me guessing right to the end.

    I immediately jumped online and ordered the second book in this series, Rip Tide, upon finishing this book (and maybe some of her other titles too).

    Highly recommend if you love adventure, action and anything to do with the denizens under the oceans surface… Escapist fantasy at it’s finest.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Gamer 1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2014
    It's been a while since I last read a good book like this one.
    I totally recommend you to read this because you'll get surprised with it and the best thing is that there's already the second book from Dark Life.
  • Amie Seguin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2014
    I love this book. It has a little bit of everything in it.