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    Dark Eden
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    Dark Eden
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    Dark Eden
    Ebook234 pages5 hours

    Dark Eden

    By Patrick Carman and Patrick Arrasmith

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateNov 1, 2011
    ISBN9780062061782
    Unavailable
    Dark Eden
    Author

    Patrick Carman

    Patrick Carman is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty books, including the acclaimed series the Land of Elyon and Floors and the teen superhero novel Thirteen Days to Midnight. A multimedia pioneer, Patrick authored The Black Circle, the fifth title in the 39 Clues series, and the Dark Eden, Skeleton Creek, Trackers, Fizzopolis, and Voyagers series. An enthusiastic reading advocate, Patrick has visited more than a thousand schools, developed village library projects in Central America, and created author outreach programs for communities. He lives in Walla Walla, Washington, with his family. You can visit him online at www.patrickcarman.com.

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    Reviews for Dark Eden

    3.5/5

    73 ratings25 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Seven teenagers, all with irrational fears, are chosen by their therapist - Dr. Stevens - to take part in an experiment to help them overcome the fears. The chosen seven are taken to Fort Eden - located in a remote area - where they are told they will be cured in a week. The story is narrated by Will, who, in the opening scene, is at Dr. Stevens’s office, having a conversation with her about the new treatment. Will acquires the files of the other six participants while Dr. Stevens leaves the room to answer a phone call. The mystery of the other six and their fears, the remote site and the treatment slowly unwinds after this, and Will gives the reader bits of information from the files and from what he observers. Dark Eden had a strong start, so much so that I had very high expectations for the ending - which, I admit, was not very strong at all. The enigmatic Rainsford, the rooms that each participant disappears into, the creepy caretaker, the mystery of the fears, all come together to produce a page-turning and chill-inducing read. The characters, all described in detail by Will, came alive and I found myself rooting for them - and confused as to whether I wanted them to be cured or not.I was very thrown in the end, it was not what I was expecting. I’m trying not to spoil it, but either I missed something huge throughout the story or the ending really did come out of the blue. It seemed quite convenient to me, and while it explained things I felt as though it was a quick and inferior explanation. I think many readers will enjoy this book, but, I’m not sure many will find the ending satisfactory.
    • 4/5
      Dark Eden is one of the most exciting and thrilling reads of the year. I enjoyed the simplistic writing style and the dark and mysterious essence. Patrick Carman knows how to grab the reader in an intense and interesting story about teens who have phobias and a cure they'll never forget.I absolutely loved the main character Will Besting. His voice was quirky and cute, but definitely serious and his phobia wasn't taken lightly. I surprisingly liked the seven teens involved in the cure. I feel that it wasn't too far fetched to relate to each on different levels. They have these fears and phobias of things I've never been concerned about and it brings to light that this happens and its serious.I couldn't help but to feel as if I was Will and trying to survive in this creepy place in the middle of nowhere. One of the best things about Dark Eden is the psychological aspect, which was realistic. Everything was written with precision and detail that seeps under your skin and haunts you - in a good way!There were a few things that made me wonder if the book would have been that much better if it was laid out differently. I think if the final chapters were thrown in between the main storyline it could've taken it one step further with suspense and mystery. It depends on the reader, but some will really enjoy the crazy ending and some will side with me on this one.Overall, this book is a very mysterious read and I haven't come across a novel quite like it. I think the intensity made it creepy, but awesome. I loved every moment of this book and its still with me. The final chapters boggled my mind - definitely a read you'll never forget!Review based on ARC
    • 4/5
      I've always loved books that focus on psychological issues, so as soon as I heard that Dark Eden played on the fears of the teens that are under evaluation there, I knew I couldn't wait to read this book. The "psychologits" are trying to cure the teens under evaluation of their fears that are partially crippiling their lives. Will was a great and strong main character. The male POV was refreshing. His character was well-developed and I liked him as a character. When Will escapes going to the ward to cure himself of his fear he hides out in an adjacent buildings basement, where he finds a secret room that has moniters so he can watch the other teens undergo treatment, if thats what you want to call it. It seems great to be able to be cured of your fears, but at what cost??When you literally need to be scared to death, to be able to cure youself of your biggest fear, is it worth it? This book was a page-turner, and it def. raised my heart-rate quite a few times, and made my palms sweat. It was intense at times and I flew right through this book. I loved it. If you like psychological thrillers, and/or an action-packed story, then Dark Eden is definitely for you. It's like nothing i've ever read, and while the rest of the characters weren't very well developed throughout the story, you really grew to be attachted to Will.
    • 4/5
      The Dame's Terrifying Report :I haven't read anything written by Patrick Carman before, and I know I'm poorer for that. He's a prolific author, and one that's greatly touted in YA fiction circles. I plan to correct my ignorance very quickly since I found "Dark Eden" a most compelling novel.First of all, I was drawn by the inspired concept for this novel. I can never turn down a book about insanity or horrific phobias. Stephen King is the man who ruined me for that. Once I was hooked on his scary writings...it was the end for me! Now I can't resist a novel about a creepy mental hospital, fears, strange cures and demented doctors. Nor can I keep my bulging eyes from reading about deeply scary wooded areas, creepy-crawlies and being alone in those dark places. Are you starting to see my "fears?" Wheeeee no dark edens for me, please...All that being the preliminary to telling you that this "Dark Eden" fulfilled all my hopes for a YA novel on the edge of asylum-unhinged scariness. Patrick Carman had me from the first pages; I was at his mercy whether I wanted to be or not. Poor Will Bestings...poor other teens...and poor me as we began to learn what the cures for their phobias was going to be, or what oddities might have to be endured to lose their assorted fears.Will embodies the "best in" (no coincidence in the name) all teen aged boys who dive into a situation to help others that might call for strengths and extraordinary tasks they didn't even realize they had. I loved this character and his willingness to understand what was happening to his "captured" group. What I loved most about the book was the psychological twists and turns that led us to the ending. It had the touches of all slightly skewed minds... What over-powering fears do you have that you'd give anything to do away with? The problem, if I may identify one, would be that the other characters are not fully developed. While we understand who and what Will seems to be about, the other characters become mostly shadow figures outside of their "fears" and that causes us to be less inclined to attach ourselves to them. That makes the conclusion less satisfying than it might have been. But, getting there was good... Does this ruin the book? No, but it may have made for more impact.As for me, I'll be up late reading more books by Mr. Carman.4 cabin creepin' starsDeborah/TheBookishDamePS: By going to Harper Collins you'll see this trailer
    • 4/5
      Will Besting has a crippling fear of being around groups of people. When his psychiatrist decides she can no longer help him, he is sent to Fort Eden. It is here that he and six other kids his age, also with crippling phobias, will meet with Dr. Rainsford who guarantees to cure them all of what ails them. Upon arrival at Fort Eden, Will purposely hangs back, distancing himself from the group, despite his immediate attraction to Marisa. He feels something is off here, and he does not want to be stuck in a house with a group of people he doesn’t know. Will sneaks away and finds himself hiding out in a bunker. It is here that he discovers a room filled with monitors. On these monitors Will is able to watch the others as they socialize, and eventually, as they go one by one into a mysterious room to be cured.What Will discovers is that each of them is forced to face their fears head on, and Will is able to watch their fears played out on the screen before him. The “cure” definitely seems to have a negative side effect, as each kid develops an ailment that they didn’t have before their procedure. The more Will witnesses in his hideout, the more desperate he is to get out of there before they find him. The only problem is, that may not be possible.The premise to this book definitely intrigued me; it seemed like it was right up my ally. In the end, I thought the book was just okay. It starts out kind of slow, but it definitely picks up by the middle.The writing is fluid, and I especially liked the cast of characters. Each one of them brought their own special dynamic to the story that made it feel real. My problem with the book is that it felt like it barely scratched the surface. There is so much material here and I really wanted to immerse myself in it, but I never got the opportunity. I could go on and on about everything I felt could have been expanded on, but that would ruin the book for others, so I’ll just leave it at that. If you like a good mystery, especially one with an interesting premise, definitely check this one out.On a side note, there is an iPhone/iPad app that you can download that lets you experience Fort Eden and what Will discovers. You can download episodes which contain maps, videos and audio files. I downloaded it, hoping I would find information, and maybe more back story that wasn’t in the book. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what is contained in the app, but hearing Will’s voice and seeing the characters in action in the small little videos is definitely an added plus. If you enjoy the book, I would recommend the app.(Review based on an advanced reader’s copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley)
    • 3/5
      I'm going to be honest right off the bat and say this book didn't scare me. I was kind of hoping it would, but it definitely did not. It was a little creepy, but they're not the same. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love Dark Eden. It is a bit thought provoking though, when you begin to think about fears, and what you're truly afraid of. For me, my fear is death, and I don't know how I could possibly overcome it. It would be nice if there was a cure for phobias.The MC is Will Besting. I have to say I don't often read books from the point of view of a male character, mostly because not as many are written as with female MCs. Another reason though is just because I can never really relate to a male character so I don't get as involved with them as I would otherwise. It was interesting to discover what happens to the other characters through Will, and get his thoughts about what was happening. I didn't feel like they were all fleshed out well enough though. We only barely scratched the surface of most of these characters, and it felt like they were just props to push the story forward.The story itself, near the end, was a little confusing for me. What is revealed about Rainsford left me with more questions than Dark Eden answered. Why is the number 7 so important? Why does the process work the way it does, and how did Rainsford discover that process? I have to admit that I'm definitely left curious enough to read the second book coming out next year, Eve of Destruction.
    • 5/5
      I was kind of unsure of what to expect from Dark Eden. It's not the type of book that I usually read or gravitate to, but something about it had me interested. After having read it, I'm so glad that I did, because I really loved it!I premise of this book was really great. I think that it was really interesting to explore different types of fears and how people react when faced with what they fear most. I'm a big fan of books that get into your head, although I don't read them often or else my brain would be mush. I feel like they really leave you thinking even long after you've read the last page. Dark Eden was exactly like that for me; it got into my head and stayed on my mind even after I'd finished reading it.I really liked the character Will, I think that he was really smart and that he was definitely different from the other characters in the book. He trusted his gut feeling about Fort Eden and made the decision to go against what he was expected to do. During the novel, Will had a very interesting perspective on things, and I found it interesting to be able to experience the way that he reacted to what he saw and how it affected him. It was also quite interesting to see the way that his experiences changed him throughout the course of the book.One of the many things that I liked about Dark Eden was the way that Patrick Carman incorporated a paranormal aspect into Dark Eden. For a good chuck of the book I didn't get any paranormal vibe from Dark Eden, but I really liked getting to the end and learning of the awesome paranormal twist. I also liked that there was just the right amount of romance in the book. Dark Eden had a lot going on, so it was definitely not focused on the romance aspect like most of the other books that I read, but I was really glad to find that little sprinkling of romance in there. I feel like it was a great touch and that it made an already good book even better.The plot of Dark Eden was fantastic. It was very mysterious and definitely sucked me in. It had a mind bending quality to it that I really enjoyed and I loved the twists! I really like it when I can't predict the ending of a book, and that was the case with Dark Eden. When I finished reading it I was really surprised by the ending. It's so nice to be caught a little bit off guard sometimes while reading a book, for things to not be so predictable!All in all, I really enjoyed this book! The premise was really interesting, the characters were diverse and the plot was gripping and unpredictable, with some cool twists thrown into the mix as well. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like mind bending sort of books, such as Tighter by Adele Griffin!
    • 5/5
      When I picked up this book, I was a very happy reader. When I began reading this book, I was transported to another world. (In short, I was living the world of Dark Eden. I was no longer in reality.) Dark Eden is a psychological thriller/mystery that forces you to question character motivation and peruse the book for clues in search of the truth behind Fort Eden. Fort Eden is truly a Dark Eden. The entire setting is dark and questionable. I’m not surprised that Will ran away, but I do wonder why all the monitors are there and how he can hide from them. Will is another kind of narrator. Not only is he a male narrator in the sea of female protagonists that we see in YA literature today, he is calm and rational whereas many hero(ines) run headlong into danger. Will is cautious, and he actually has an idea of what is going on. His only “fault” -if you would call it a fault- is that he cannot stay away from Marisa, and the stolen conversations between them add to the tension in the novel… because there is a traitor in their midst, and of course Marisa is suspect to the readers. I never knew where the story would take me. There are so many secrets. While the kids are sent to Fort Eden to overcome their fears, Carman pulls us readers into a web of fears, implanting doubt towards the characters and leaving us to crawl through the pages, wondering just how he will pull off a satisfying end to the novel. And yet, somehow he does. When I thought I had something figured out, I found that Carman had added another twist to the plot, and as I watched the number of pages left to read diminish, he gave me another surprise. Let’s just say that I never saw it coming. If you’re looking to be thrilled… maybe for your mind to be messed with just a little… I have three words for you: read Dark Eden.
    • 2/5
      Will Besting suffers from phobia, a phobia so crippling that his parents and doctor feel they must send him away to be cured. So Will joins six other teenagers in the mysterious Fort Eden where they will all face their fears, led by the mysterious Rainsford. Facing their fears will embolden the teens in ways they never imagined, but what will it cost them?Patrick Carman deftly weaves an interesting tale, combining current social issues with a subject usually found in paranormal stories. There is no lack of intrigue in this story, it keeps you constantly guessing at the motivations of all the characters; you never know who can be trusted. Dark Eden also shows a side of phobias that is not always explored—the fact that those phobias can strike even the young. Carman keeps the reader guessing right up until the end, pushing the reader to solve the mystery themselves.While I found Dark Eden to be an interesting read, it was not an appealing story to me. I am sure this is in no way a reflection on Carman, but rather on my particular tastes. I also figured out a couple of things early on, leaving no mystery for me to solve. That kind of took the excitement out of the ending for me. While Dark Eden is a good book, it just wasn’t the book for me.
    • 4/5
      Dark Eden was a really interesting read. While the idea wasn't wholly original, I think its execution was fantastic. This was easily a book I couldn't put down. It was also an extremely quick read. Now I don't know much about the app that goes along with it, but to my knowledge the app is an extension of the book. But the good thing is that the book stands on its own. You don't need to have the app, but I have sampled it, and it helps visualize what you are reading. It adds to the experience. You can do both, or use just one. It's all up to you, the reader. Cool, huh? My first Patrick Carman read was Atherton. I thought that book was pretty special. Dark Eden captures the same magic, but in a completely different way. It was suspenseful, slightly frightening, mind-bending, and dark. It was also a lot of fun. What if you were forced to face your deepest and darkest fears? But you were also promised a cure at the end of that process. Would you do it? And then at the end of everything, you found out that things were not quite what they seemed? How much would that suck? I can't give away any spoilers, but I think you should read it. It's also a great read for Halloween. It really gets you into the mood for the spooky season. The setting was fantastic and really memorable. I read Dark Eden almost a month ago and I remember the setting and Fort Eden almost as if it was yesterday. It was unsettling, creepy and extremely well-written. Fantastic imagery. I didn't love Dark Eden, but I did like it. I didn't really connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to. I think if I had, the book would have been a much more scary read for me. And ultimately, more entertaining. I felt like the story stayed too much on the surface and didn't go as deep as it could have. In a book about fears, I wanted to find myself being afraid too. So in some ways it didn't always work for me. But when it did, it was great. It's still worth reading and I think Patrick Carman is a fantastic writer for young adults. I'd just like to see him go a little deeper and more detailed next time.
    • 4/5
      This was an interesting book. I'm familiar with Patrick Carmen's work and it was nice to see something darker but what made it interesting is that you can choose to read the book or experience the book through a multimedia app. The first chapter is free but I found I preferred the flow of the book.The story follows Will Besting as he attends Fort Eden, a camp to cure him and six others of their fear. It's a good concept and just experiencing Will's part made for an entertaining read. However, more is going on at Fort Eden and even though I had some guesses - I was wrong and there were surprises I didn't see coming. I give Patrick Carmen kudos for that.This is a young adult book with young adult themes but it's an enjoyable adult read. I'm not sure how this would go as a movie but I'd be willing to see that. It's a great book for most ages. It's dark but not overly scary so a young or sensitive reader would do well with it. There is some slight romance but nothing beyond hand holding and the occasional kiss.I like how the chapters focus on each of the characters and their cures. At the end, there seems to be several epilogues but they don't detract from the story.
    • 4/5
      “Dark Eden” is the first book I’ve ever read by Patrick Carman, although I can assure you it will not be the last. Talk about a thriller! “Dark Eden” will capture your attention from beginning to end, finding a way beneath your skin.Everyone has a fear, or fears. But for some, those fears are crippling.Take seven teenagers suffering from crippling phobias and insert Fort Eden, an institution where the teens are sent to ‘cure’ them. But what will it cost them to be cured?The story is told through the eyes of Will Besting, one of the seven teenagers sent to Fort Eden by his parents. As someone who likes to look on, to listen, Will steals the files of his fellow patients, trying to learn more about them. Through their recorded sessions, Will is already well acquainted with the others well before he even meets them on the bus for the first time. After being dropped off along the trail leading to Fort Eden, Will separates from the other six – refusing to step foot in Fort Eden. Instead, he watches as they enter, staying put in the woods until it becomes too cold. Seeking shelter, he runs towards the bunker where he makes a temporary home in the bomb shelter where there are monitors allowing him to see what’s taking place in Fort Eden.Will is a wonderful character. Even though I found myself questioning some of his actions through out the story, I understand why he did what he did. He takes time to study his surroundings and those around him. He’s a smart, brave character and I liked seeing the story from his perspective.If you’re searching for a thrilling read that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat – give “Dark Eden” a chance. While the story does start off rather slowly, it does pick up pace and there are enough twists to keep you eager to reach the next page.
    • 4/5
      This book takes you on a psychological journey. It looks at seven 15 year old kids who all suffer from disabling fears. All see the same psychiatrist and when she is no longer able to help them they have the "opportunity"to attend a camp to cure their fears. The camp is named Eden.The book follows Will. He is in the unique position to take a look at what is happening to himself and the other teens at Eden. He knows that something is not quite right and works to figure out what that is.This story takes on many aspects that are uniquely interesting. I found the name of the camp to be ironic. Once again I am thinking biblical and the symbolism associated with the garden. You would need to read it for yourself and see if you understand what I mean.The book starts off slowly because it is building the plot that leads to the end. I was taken by surprise with part of the storyline. This story will appeal to both boys and girls.I think it's appropriate for kids. You may want to make sure that they are not overly sensitive though. Part of the cure comes from intense fear.
    • 5/5
      7 kids all with devastating phobias are sent to Fort Eden, an institution that promises that they can be cured. After exiting the fear chamber each kid feels that they have been cured but each in turn have mysterious aches and pains that do not go away. Only Will is suspicious about the people of Fort Eden and what goes on there. Can he avoid going into the chamber? I really didn't know what to expect of this book, but the more I read the more I could not put it down. There's not a whole lot that I can say without giving things away and that would take away from the experience of reading this book. There were three things that I would say while reading 1. Oh My God, 2. I didn't see that one coming, and 3. WOW. I hated to see it end but the ending was so good. This book is a must read for everyone who likes to read. A big thank you to Patrick Carman for writing this book.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book! ohhhh the twists. One after another it just came at you. The idea of the plot is interesting by itself. A bunch of teens at an institution trying to deal with their own fears. Some of their fears were horrifying and made you want to cringe when you read through them. I liked how the book was divided up into their own fears (with the appropriate pictures to accompany it).The plot was good, the twists were appropriately placed and the overall mood of the story was dark and suitable. The characters were all right, I can’t really say they were likable. It was more like they were just there for your reading pleasure. I liked the explanation and the back story as to why this institution was created. I wasn’t expecting that AT ALL. It’s creative, and different and puts an interesting spin on this story. The ending leaves you wondering what’s going to happen but it keeps you curious and wanting more.The second book is out already and I’m going to grab it. The ending of Dark Eden was good enough to get me curious as to what was going to happen next. YA readers would enjoy this one. Especially fans who want a thriller.
    • 4/5
      Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick and Dirty: This thriller will leave you wondering what will happen to the characters next as they face their fears, and possibly your own. Opening Sentence: Why are you hiding in this room all alone? The Review: What’s initially interesting about this book is that it is also interactive. There is an app, or you can get the same experience at this website, that will provide sound, images, text, and video related to the book. Some people may not enjoy the multimedia version, but I did check it out after I read the book. Our narrator, Will Besting, is sent to a weekend retreat by his doctor with six other teenagers as a last resort to help confront and control their individual phobias. He has prior knowledge of the other patients since he secretly copied their sessions off of Dr. Steven’s computer. Upon arriving at the camp, Will leaves the group and fends for himself. He finds a small, unused room in the basement filled with old computer monitors. With no other options except for returning to the group, he camps out in the room for the weekend. Soon he finds out that the monitors are connected to hidden cameras in the house where the other teens are. Will seems like an average teen boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in anywhere. He is a loner, and the only person he feels close to is his brother, Keith. While watching the monitors that turn on and off by themselves, Will gets to know the other teenagers. Their host, Rainsford, says that he has a way that will cure them all of their phobias. Will watches on as one by one each person is led into a room created especially for them as they relive their worst fears. Through the technology that Rainsford uses, Will is able to actually watch what each person sees in their head. Though he may not like the others, he feels closer to them as he experiences their fears. I liked how Patrick Carman used a range of characters, all with distinct phobias, to show how fear does not discriminate. The other teens are Alex, Ben, and Connor, who are male, and Avery, Kate, and Marisa, who are female. Of course, Will does not feel comfortable with any of them, except Marisa, who is quiet and nice. For the first time in a while, Will has felt somewhat close to someone when he is with Marisa. He sneaks out of the room late at night to talk with her about what is going on. Both of them are reserved about taking part in Rainsford’s cure as the other teens seem to have odd side effects afterwards. Another teen named Davis comes by the fort, and assures them that he was cured a while back by Rainsford, which adds more suspense as to what is really going on. As the book continues, we start to wonder what is with Rainsford’s “cures” and why no effort has been made to find out where Will is. They are in the middle of nowhere, and one of their patients are missing. We do get answers at the very end that made me interested to know what will happen next. Also, there is a definite shocker ending! Since it was just barely introduced, I expect Carman to go into more depth with the character of Rainford in the next installment. This is not meant to be a super scary or psychologically chilling novel. It explores fear and mystery, and how that can affect a person, especially a teenager. The twister ending does require discussion, but that will have to wait for the next book! Notable Scene: I walked to the back of the basement, along the edge of the shelves that held the cans of food, and found one more door. This door was not like the others, which were all made of heavy timber and had iron hinges. The door I stood in front of was made of metal, like a freezer, and on the front a word stenciled with red paint. BOMB SHELTER I don’t fear enclosed spaces; in fact, I like them quite a bit more than wide-open cafeterias or ball fields. But the words had a ring of finality. It was a place people went if the word was coming to an end. There was a pin on a chain holding a freezer handle in place. The pin emitted a sharp sound of metal as I removed it and let it hang from the chain like a body swinging from a noose. The handle was cold in my hand, but it pulled easily enough, and the door to bomb shelter was open. A curb ran along the bottom edge, and I stepped over it, peering into a strange and secret place. Before I knew it I was inside, discovering a knob that clicked once and then turned, bringing up the light. I had come to the farthest corner of where I could go; and, turning around, I pulled the door in close behind me, just shy of locking myself in. The Dark Eden Series: 1. Dark Eden 2. Eve of Destruction FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me a copy of Dark Eden. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 4/5
      **3.5 Stars**Just what are you afraid of? Do your fears keep you from experiencing life to the fullest? If so, than we at Fort Eden have the cure for you! But we only take 7 people, preferably teens, and after your week at Fort Eden, we guarantee you will no longer be afraid! Miraculous you say? You might be right, but our statistics don’t lie! Or do they?This was a really different book. I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting but this wasn’t it. Which made for a pleasant surprise.The story is told from the perspective of Will. He is one of the 7. Initially we meet Will while he is in his therapist’s office. Where he does something completely unethical! I must say he doesn’t endear himself to the reader…but over time all is revealed and our feelings for Will change. The fears of Will, Marissa and Avery are especially debilitating. We do eventually find out what everyone fears, and they all undergo the “cure”…and everyone’s cure is different, which made the story more interesting. Without revealing too much…there is a lot of mystery and cat-and-mouse going on which made for a read that was hard to put down. There is a second book in the works which will have to take a completely different path than Dark Eden did…which makes me interested in reading what comes next.
    • 2/5
      In One Word ~ ConfusedI think my one word summary pretty much explains my thoughts on Dark Eden. I wasn't confused by the storyline, it wasn't hard to follow. I wasn't confused by the characters, their reactions or motivations. I was confused by my complete lack of feeling toward this book. I'm an emotional creature. If you've ever read my reviews, you'll know that. I'm dramatic, emphatic, prone to extreme reactions when it comes to reading. If I love a book, I will shout it through the blogosphere. I've been known to cry (sob actually) while reading a book. I cried last night while writing a review for a book that I loved. So, I was caught totally off-guard about my reaction, or lack thereof, for Dark Eden. I just kept reading and waiting for that moment when the book would suck me in. It simply never came. There was a moment towards the end of the book where main character, Will's,big, dramatic secret was revealed. I'm sure I was supposed to be shocked by that moment. I simply thought "Huh" and turned the page.I think the main reason I had very little reaction to the characters and what they went through was because there was very little background given into their pasts. I knew they all had debilitating phobias, but there was nothing there that made me actually care. The barest glimpse into the psyche of each character, Will excluded, was given. And to be honest, I felt little more treatment was given to him. Shouldn't I at least know and care about the main character of the book? I think so.Another aspect of the book that really bothered me was the ending, the motivation given to the man behind all the machinations at Eden camp. It felt rushed, completely off-base and not very well explained. When I read this, I just felt...disappointed. I know that I have given several reasons why I didn't like Dark Eden. I absolutely hate when I have to write a review like this. But if I can't be honest, what's the point. I will give a couple of positives, though. While I didn't care for some parts of the story, I do like the author's style. Much of the book was extremely easy to read, with a nice pace. Dark Eden is an extremely quick read. The idea in general was a good one. If I could have really gotten behind the story, it could have been fantastic. Favorite Quote:"That's the way it is with secrets. They pile on top of the other until it's like a house of cards that requires a lot of work to maintain."*I received a copy of Dark Eden from Harper Teen, in exchange for an honest review.*
    • 5/5
      Oh how I love to be shrouded in cryptic conversation, that hints at what awesomeness is to come...That was my first thought as I started reading Dark Eden. What? I take notes, okay? Dr. Stevens is tirelessly trying to convince Will that Fort Eden, a place that specializes in helping kids overcome their fears, is the best chance he and six others has for getting help... Because she obviously can't give it to him. "Where is this place I'm not going to, and who are these people I won't be meeting when I don't get there?" ~WillHa! Win. This is something I would have said to some crazy lady trying to send me off to a Fort in God only knows where to overcome my "fear". Will ends up losing that battle but has an ace up his sleeve, since he hacked the good doctor's computer and stole all the files on Fort Eden... and the audio files on the six other patients who were going with him. "the fort was like the anti- Eden, the place left over after the fall of man-kind." ~Will, upon seeing Fort Eden the first time.Will knows what awaits them inside Eden and he isn't having any part in it. Instead, he flies under the radar, sneaks in through the kitchen where mean old Mrs. Goring spends most of her time and hides out in the basement. While one by one the other six chosen face their deepest, darkest fears- as Will watches like a voyeur from a secret room set up like a mission control.Slowly Will builds a relationship with Marisa (one of 'The 7') through stolen meetings and whispered conversations. But, there's a traitor in their midst... Is Marisa her? Can Will withstand the moment of truth? Will any actually of them survive Fort Eden?Carman pulls us in a deep web of fears, life and the ultimate deceit of the one they all trusted the most... Wow! This book was seriously awesome! Toward the end, I kept glancing at the page number- thinking, "No way will he be able to pull off a satisfying ending to complete this freaking heart-stopping book." And then... he DID. Carman even took it one step further and threw in a twist I absolutely NEVER saw coming.Dark Eden was quick, clever and completely satisfying. At first I thought I would have liked to know the characters a little better than I did... but when you experience their greatest fears, along with watching the entire plot unfold around them- while they are completely oblivious to the severity of the events taking place... it's actually very, very intimate. So I think some detachment was the entire point.Bottom line- I'm now on the prowl for more of Patrick Carman's books! I do believe I have another addiction that needs sated!
    • 4/5
      I think that I will be one of the few that will fail this cure. I do have a fear, once that I am not afraid to say but I will let you know at the end of the review. But first, the book.Mr. Carmen presented such a great, freshly unique reading experience. I love the idea of facing your fear but curing it? It definitely caught my interest and held my every breath as I read through the pages. One unique twist of this book is the different point of views in the books. The reader see's different characters face their fears one by one and be "cured."The mysterious of Fort Eden as well as the secrecy behind it had me reading the book faster. I love that the plot line never wavered far but kept you coming back for more. As the reader, you watch the seven teens face their fears and then become different almost robot like. I loved that while reading this book all I could think about is not wanting the lights to go out or else I have to face my fear right then and there!Dark Eden is a book like no other. Fear, experiments, no where to hide but no where to go. Dark Eden is dark and captivating having you hold on to what you fear the most. Will you face your fear? Read Dark Eden and find out!
    • 4/5
      Take seven 15-year-olds with crippling fears that have become severe phobias, send them to the middle of nowhere for a cure with a somewhat evil stranger and watch the weirdness explode. Ok, so I the guy in charge of the cure doesn't appear that evil, but once you get into this story you will have your doubts about Rainsford. The seven kids that appear in this story have all of the usual fears like dying, crowds and being kidnapped. At first the cure appears to be immersion therapy, but it isn't until the very end you find out the strange paranormal twist about the whole process. Will and Marissa are the two teens that the story really centers around. Will hasn't left his house in years and his parents with the help of his therapist send him to Fort Eden in order to cure him. Marissa is the only one Will communicates with through out the first part of the book since he has escape and is trying to avoid the cure.I really thought this was a more adult version of a Goosebumps book since it preys upon those fears all kids can relate to. I didn't feel I got enough of a background or story on the other characters to have an opinion on them. I liked Will and the fact that he is so smart for his age that he can see outside the box even though he is trapped in one and I was fascinated by his ability to build electronics on a tight budget. Carman did an excellent job putting together the common fears of most teenagers in a spooky setting. There is also an app for your smart phone that should be available. I haven't tried it, but I have heard that it greatly enhances the book and if you plan on reading the book, a visit to the website is a must!
    • 3/5
      Well written but bizarre book. More juvenile than young adult. I always like it when I come across books for the younger crowd that I can say "would interest boy readers" as there seem to be way more for young girls. Would definitely recommended and would like to see a series out of it. Lots of potential could even see this as a movie.
    • 4/5
      Everyone has fears, right? Imagine having phobias so debilitating, they prevent you from living a normal life, doing things that most people take for granted. For the seven teens who are sent to Fort Eden (a sort of rehab for people with severe phobias), therapy to has failed them and this is their last chance to be cured.The entire story is told from Will Besting’s perspective and he is a great main character. Even though Will is quirky, Patrick Carman writes these little details that make the character so endearing and well rounded. I love the way Will depends on his recorder and listens to everything, preferring audio over video, choosing sounds over words. While we don’t spend a lot of time with the other characters, we get to know them through Will.Carman does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the book. I was on the edge of my seat to know what all the character’s fears were and exactly how Rainsford was curing them. I’m happy to say that I was a good girl and restrained myself from peeking at the end of the book while still in the middle of it and I was rewarded with the cool way the story unfolded. I don’t want to give too much away because experiencing Dark Eden’s mystery as it unfolds is a huge part of enjoying the novel.Dark Eden is original, thrilling, suspenseful and an all around enjoyable read. While I recommend it for anyone who likes a really good YA thriller, I especially recommend it for reluctant readers. Another thing I love about this book, no cliffhanger! This book could totally stand alone even though I would love another book in the series. Content: Kissing, some scary imagery. My Rating: Really Good!
    • 5/5
      Sometimes, I read a book that truly jumps off the page and comes to life. Sometimes, when I pick up a book with no idea what to expect, but it was so excellent that I wonder why I never considered reading it before. That was my experience with Dark Eden. I hadn't heard anything about it prior to requesting it from Amazon Vine, and chose it just because it was one of the few vaguely interesting options in last month's newsletter.What I got was amazing -an excellent concoction of horror and thriller with a dash of dystopian, mystery and even some science fiction that I devoured in just one sitting and was left desperate for more.Dark Eden is told through the eyes of young Will Besting, who is suffering from a horrible phobia. In order to cure it once and for all, he is sent to a camp at Fort Eden, a research facility that supposedly has the right treatment for his phobia. There, Will meets a group of six other teenagers with similar phobias and while the treatments start out with promise...it doesn't take long for things to come crumbling down. The teens are thrown in a horrible world of fear and horror, where they are forced to flee for their lives in a dark world known only as Eden. It's been a long time since I've read something so unique, fresh and as incredibly engaging as Dark Eden. Frightening, but powerful, Dark Eden explores some of the darkest corners of the human mind and delves into the very heart of fear -not just fear, but betrayal. I was completely hooked on Carman's writing style, and on his main character, Will. While I admit that for a good portion of the novel I was a little antsy about what the real secrets were behind the dark happenings in Eden. Plus, it seemed like the plotlines that involved each of the teens didn't seem to work together in one coherent overarching plot. Then I got to the ending. Explosive. Every tiny issue I had with the book, all of the plot points that made me uncomfortable or just didn't seem right were completely tied up in one of the most satisfying endings I have read in a long time (I especially liked the Poe references). Provocative, intelligent, thrilling and wild, Dark Eden is one of the most surprising, books I've read all year.P.S. Dark Eden would also make a great horror movie -as long as they don't make it into some cheesy teen slasher, more of a cerebral horror film.
    • 4/5
      Will's been in therapy, but his psychologist tells him that she can't do anything more for him: he needs to go to Dark Eden with six other kids and face his fear. But what this woman doesn't know is that Will's already listened to audio files that tell him about these other kids, and he's not about to go quietly.I expected a little bit of a horror novel, but what I got was more suspense. The plot starts slowly setting the stage and builds quickly to the denouement. The suspense and plot drive the narrative rather than characterization, so this is a fast read and probably not one I'd read again to get any more out of. However, it is really compelling and the ending had me gasping in surprise, ready to read the sequel.