Review - Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Title: Dark Eden
Author: Patrick Carman
Published: 2011 by HarperCollins Children's Books
Source: Once Upon a Twilight Book Tours


Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden? 




I was captivated by Dark Eden after reading the first chapter. It kind of had the feel of Ann Aguirre's Enclave, minus the dystopian atmosphere. I am attracted to anything that puts me in a world that's dank, gritty, underground, scary and makes me connect with the characters and their thoughts of wtf is going on and wtf are we gonna do? Sorry, that's the best way I could describe it.


So we're with Will Besting the whole time (isn't that the best dude name you've ever heard of?) and he's a pretty sneaky dude. He infiltrates the place they call Dark Eden and watches his peers go into a chamber, one by one and come out cured. He is scared for them, but also curious and maybe even excited that they're now cured. Putting myself in his position, if my ailment was diblitating enough, I'd probably just come out of my hidy hole and get in line to be cured. But Will is cautious and watches the events unfold before making any decisions of his own. He does become a tad bit attracted to one girl who is in Dark Eden, so there's a bit of flirtation, but that's about it for any romance the book has to offer.


Dark Eden started out a little slow, but when it picked up the pace, the action didn't stop until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of Patrick Carman's novels. 

A special thanks to the lovely ladies at Once Upon a Twilight for allowing me to participate in one of their book tours.