Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

Genre: Sci-fi/Paranormal/Thriller YA
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Pages: 336
Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher on NetGalley

Goodreads Summary

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?

Patrick Carman’s Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.



My Opinion

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading Dark Eden. I ended up really enjoying it! The main character, Will Besting, goes to Fort Eden with six other teenagers who all suffer from different fears. Their fears all all extreme (I would consider them to be phobias), and apparently they can be “cured” at Fort Eden.

It’s interesting discovering what each of the six kids fear, and why the fear began in the first place. I liked seeing the characters develop as the book continued. The book did start off a bit slower than I would have liked — Will isolated himself a lot, which didn’t provide much dialogue — but this worked for the plot, and I understand why the author had to do that for the story to work. I liked how everything going on at Fort Eden was a huge master plan that we don’t find out the reasons behind until the end.

And the end … I really wasn’t expecting it! I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s a big psychological twist that I loved, and the ending was cool. It was the type of ending that left me thinking about the book after I’d finished reading — thinking about how far people will go to get what they want, despite the consequences.

I definitely recommend picking up Dark Eden when it comes out in November. There’s also going to be an app that goes with the book (Or that you can use instead of reading? Not sure how it will work) so I’m curious to hear people’s opinions of the app once it’s released.

11 Comments on “Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

  1. The app for Dark Eden is really quite interesting. It tells the story through text frames, videos and audio files. It's the same story that is in the print version, but the app is much more of an enhanced experience. Totally worth checking out. You can download the app and the first episode for free: http://enterdarkeden.com/

  2. The app is great! Experiencing everything through the videos, audio, and text is tremendously entertaining. The whole walk-through really makes you feel like a part of the story. And being able to experience it much like a serial novel. My only complaint (if yo want to call it that) is that the episodes aren't released quick enough for me! Definitely one not to be missed: app or book!

  3. This book is truely a work of art! I ended up wining an advanced readers copy of the book on the facebook site, and I loved it so much I couldn't put it down! Two days was all it took! Patrick Carman keeps you on your toes. Once you think you know what's going on at Fort Eden he throws you in another direction. You never know what to expect!
    As for the app, just as epic! Everything is as creepy as I pictured. You really feel like you're in the story, with the main character talking to you, seeing what he's seeing. It takes storytelling to a whole new level, and I can't get enough of it!

  4. The app is amazing. It totally takes you through the book like a movie. Its another way to experience the book, and a great one at that. I recommend that everyone should read this book. I promise it will not be a disappointment.

  5. The app is so amazing, the word amazing can't even come close to describing it!!!! The storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is an app like no other. You're reading the book, but you're not reading it at the same time. It is definitely worth it!

  6. Truly amazing. I heard about Dark Eden from Elizabeth and Angel. The only regret I have with this book is peeing my self 'cuz it's scary-ish! It's a amazing. Keeps you on your toes!! GET THE APP AND SOON THE BOOK! -Sara

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