Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages
327
Description
After tremendous earthquakes destroy the Earth's major cities, an ancient evil emerges, turning ordinary people into hunters, killers, and insane monsters but a small group of teens comes together in a fight for survival and safety.
Description
Four teens struggle to survive in an apocalyptic world gone mad in this “brilliant novel that is a fascinating blend between I Am Legend and The Hunger Games” (VOYA).
Since the beginning of mankind, civilizations have fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…and now us. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening: An ancient evil has been unleashed, and it’s turning everyday people into hunters, killers, and crazies.
This is the world Aries, Clementine, Michael, and Mason are living in—or rather, trying to survive. Each is fleeing unspeakable horror, from murderous chaos to brutal natural disasters, and each is traveling the same road in a world gone mad. Amid the throes of the apocalypse and clinging to love and meaning wherever it can be found, these four teens are on a journey into the heart of darkness—and to find each other and a place of safety.
Since the beginning of mankind, civilizations have fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…and now us. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening: An ancient evil has been unleashed, and it’s turning everyday people into hunters, killers, and crazies.
This is the world Aries, Clementine, Michael, and Mason are living in—or rather, trying to survive. Each is fleeing unspeakable horror, from murderous chaos to brutal natural disasters, and each is traveling the same road in a world gone mad. Amid the throes of the apocalypse and clinging to love and meaning wherever it can be found, these four teens are on a journey into the heart of darkness—and to find each other and a place of safety.
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
Physical description
327 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
9781442423527
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member summerskris
I was afraid to go to sleep Thursday night after finishing Dark Inside (it was also the day that I read most of it). The scary part isn't the apocalypse or gruesome deaths, however. It's the Baggers. It's the 'disease' of sorts floating around, turning humans turning on their own kind. That this is
Humans have been progressing rapidly for the past century, so quickly that it's become evident that our worst enemy is ourselves. Our enemy in the apocalyptic world of Dark Inside is the Darkness Inside humans. It's been inside of us: festering, infecting, waiting for the time to strike. When 9.5+ magnitude earthquakes strike across the world simultaneously, the largest genocide known to mankind initiates. Strangers turn on strangers, friends turn on friends, and family turns on family. You don't know who to trust, who will turn next. The only clue is the black veins that lines the white of their eyes, and by the time you're close enough to see the signs, you're within their grasp.
Can you imaging living in that kind of world? It takes a huge amount of luck to escape their initial strike, and I don't have it. Even if I did, you need endurance and intuition to survive. Could I do that? I don't know. Mason, Michael, Clementine, and Aries are four teenagers who have had family and/or friends turn on them, and some will even betray in turn, seeking to protect themselves and survive... not knowing when--if-- they'll ever find safety.
The events start off slow, before the earthquake happens. You watch as the world falls apart, unable to do anything. There are books that you race through in order to finish it. Dark Inside isn't one of those books. It's the kind that you read with dread, the kind whose pages you want to turn and yet can't. The kind that you have to put down and run away from before returning, unable to stop reading until you learn the fates of the four teens. That was what Dark Inside was like for me.
Because the story is told from the perspective of four teens, it took me a while to get to know them, but it's okay. The story is already drawn out at the start as the story leads up to the apocalypse, so there's time to acclimate to the four voices. It's when the apocalypse starts that the story really takes off, and even then the action only takes place between the teenager's frequent, suspense-filled attempts to stay off the Baggers' radar. (In other words, when they bump into the Baggers.)
Then there's the mysterious fifth narrator... Nothing. Nothing knows what's happening, but Nothing won't tell you. All you learn is the turmoil that Nothing suffers... Nothing's desire for this sickening game to end. Nothing will keep you questioning what is happening to the world. If all of humanity won't die out this time. And there's nothing you can do but read and read as the lives of the four teens draw closer and closer to each other until the events of this book comes to a head. If there's one word that describes how I felt reading this book, it's powerless. Powerless to prevent the apocalypse, to stop the darkness from spreading, or to save the teens.
Best (or worst because I have to wait another year for it) of all? The events don't close with Dark Inside. It's only the beginning....
Show More
such a plausible demise for civilization.Humans have been progressing rapidly for the past century, so quickly that it's become evident that our worst enemy is ourselves. Our enemy in the apocalyptic world of Dark Inside is the Darkness Inside humans. It's been inside of us: festering, infecting, waiting for the time to strike. When 9.5+ magnitude earthquakes strike across the world simultaneously, the largest genocide known to mankind initiates. Strangers turn on strangers, friends turn on friends, and family turns on family. You don't know who to trust, who will turn next. The only clue is the black veins that lines the white of their eyes, and by the time you're close enough to see the signs, you're within their grasp.
Can you imaging living in that kind of world? It takes a huge amount of luck to escape their initial strike, and I don't have it. Even if I did, you need endurance and intuition to survive. Could I do that? I don't know. Mason, Michael, Clementine, and Aries are four teenagers who have had family and/or friends turn on them, and some will even betray in turn, seeking to protect themselves and survive... not knowing when--if-- they'll ever find safety.
The events start off slow, before the earthquake happens. You watch as the world falls apart, unable to do anything. There are books that you race through in order to finish it. Dark Inside isn't one of those books. It's the kind that you read with dread, the kind whose pages you want to turn and yet can't. The kind that you have to put down and run away from before returning, unable to stop reading until you learn the fates of the four teens. That was what Dark Inside was like for me.
Because the story is told from the perspective of four teens, it took me a while to get to know them, but it's okay. The story is already drawn out at the start as the story leads up to the apocalypse, so there's time to acclimate to the four voices. It's when the apocalypse starts that the story really takes off, and even then the action only takes place between the teenager's frequent, suspense-filled attempts to stay off the Baggers' radar. (In other words, when they bump into the Baggers.)
Then there's the mysterious fifth narrator... Nothing. Nothing knows what's happening, but Nothing won't tell you. All you learn is the turmoil that Nothing suffers... Nothing's desire for this sickening game to end. Nothing will keep you questioning what is happening to the world. If all of humanity won't die out this time. And there's nothing you can do but read and read as the lives of the four teens draw closer and closer to each other until the events of this book comes to a head. If there's one word that describes how I felt reading this book, it's powerless. Powerless to prevent the apocalypse, to stop the darkness from spreading, or to save the teens.
Best (or worst because I have to wait another year for it) of all? The events don't close with Dark Inside. It's only the beginning....
Show Less
LibraryThing member mountie9
The Good Stuff
Loved it, could not put it down was even pissed at my Dr for being on time and making me have to put down the book
Not stop action with lots of twists and turns, keeps you guessing
Sort of reminds me of The Stand with teenagers - that's a good thing btw
Great characters who develop
Apocalyptic, Dystopian style plot - which you may have guessed by now is a genre I very much reading about
Good moral questions thrown in which could lead to some great discussions
Some good humor thrown in to balance the darkness of the storyline
Mason sort of reminds me of Larry Underwood from the Stand
Canadian settings
Enjoyed the scene with Twiggy - it was sorta darkly twisted, but kinda finny
The Not so Good Stuff
It just sort of ends - expected a better ending, but I understand there is going to be a sequel - if so than the end isn't that bad
A little too descriptive at times with the killing -- especially mentioning the killing of children -- I'm a Mom, that sort of thing is tough for me to have to read
I know its picky but many of the female characters act rather stereotypical at times with men having to save them -- would have liked a little more kick assness (yes I know its not a word) from them
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Warning signs left behind in the ruins of ancient civilization have been misinterpreted. The sins of mankind are always to blame. But who would have guessed it would be so gray? so empty?
"I specialized in downfall, the destruction of societies. As you can imagine, this whole event has caused quite a stir in my attention span.
"I guess I can't complain," she said. "I've been living off Oreos and Goldfish crackers since the whole thing started. I think I've drank enough Red Bull to last a lifetime. And I don't even like Red Bull. It tastes like cow pee."
Michael laughed. "You're a connoisseur of fine tastes. However will you survive this apocalypse?"
Who should/shouldn't read
Fans of Dystopian or Apocalyptic fiction will enjoy
not for the sensitive - there is a lot of violent acts and some written in great detail
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from Simon and Schuster in Exchange for an honest review
Loved it, could not put it down was even pissed at my Dr for being on time and making me have to put down the book
Not stop action with lots of twists and turns, keeps you guessing
Sort of reminds me of The Stand with teenagers - that's a good thing btw
Great characters who develop
Show More
nicely and have you cheering for them Apocalyptic, Dystopian style plot - which you may have guessed by now is a genre I very much reading about
Good moral questions thrown in which could lead to some great discussions
Some good humor thrown in to balance the darkness of the storyline
Mason sort of reminds me of Larry Underwood from the Stand
Canadian settings
Enjoyed the scene with Twiggy - it was sorta darkly twisted, but kinda finny
The Not so Good Stuff
It just sort of ends - expected a better ending, but I understand there is going to be a sequel - if so than the end isn't that bad
A little too descriptive at times with the killing -- especially mentioning the killing of children -- I'm a Mom, that sort of thing is tough for me to have to read
I know its picky but many of the female characters act rather stereotypical at times with men having to save them -- would have liked a little more kick assness (yes I know its not a word) from them
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Warning signs left behind in the ruins of ancient civilization have been misinterpreted. The sins of mankind are always to blame. But who would have guessed it would be so gray? so empty?
"I specialized in downfall, the destruction of societies. As you can imagine, this whole event has caused quite a stir in my attention span.
"I guess I can't complain," she said. "I've been living off Oreos and Goldfish crackers since the whole thing started. I think I've drank enough Red Bull to last a lifetime. And I don't even like Red Bull. It tastes like cow pee."
Michael laughed. "You're a connoisseur of fine tastes. However will you survive this apocalypse?"
Who should/shouldn't read
Fans of Dystopian or Apocalyptic fiction will enjoy
not for the sensitive - there is a lot of violent acts and some written in great detail
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from Simon and Schuster in Exchange for an honest review
Show Less
LibraryThing member krystal_osmond
Why oh why did I wait so long to read this one? Simon & Schuster were nice enough to send me a review copy back some time and I never got around to it until now and I'm kicking myself wondering why I didn't read it sooner!
There are a few keys words that stuck out to me on the back cover of the ARC
The novel goes between narrators and Jeyn makes it easy to follow. We're taken on adventures of basically the survival of the fittest and each character has their own way of dealing with the almost apocalypse type thing that some say is happening. Each character has the common goal of surviving and outrunning what is out there but yet each character couldn't be more different. We get so many emotions running through the characters and pages of Dark Inside but it never feels overwhelming. The cowardice, the bravery, the sadness, the adrenaline, everything the characters (and the reader) feel ties in so well and makes for a great book. And the ending!? Wow!
Jeyn Roberts debut novel is awesome, truly truly awesome, and definitely worth the read! Just be prepared, at times Dark Inside is gruesome and paints a clear, sometimes unwanted picture in your head that may keep you up at night!
Enjoy!
There are a few keys words that stuck out to me on the back cover of the ARC
Show More
- "Society has fallen apart. No one can be trusted." Sounds great, huh? But those words are nothing compared to what actually transpires in the novel. Dark Inside is a creepy book, even scary at times. I'd even go as far as saying that Jeyn Roberts has a twisted mind! The detail she puts into her writing (the death's of the people, the killing scenes, etc) is absolutely wild (and twisted and crazy and it will have your stomach in knots and your nose wrinkled). Yes, the detail is that vivid. But more than that, the story has a great plot. An earthquake that rattles and shakes more than just the ground. People are turning on one another, killing each other and few that are left to survive are being hunted down. You'll be on the edge of your seat the whole time it takes you to read Dark Inside, and trust me it wont take that long because you'll be so engrossed and have that need to find out what happens next.The novel goes between narrators and Jeyn makes it easy to follow. We're taken on adventures of basically the survival of the fittest and each character has their own way of dealing with the almost apocalypse type thing that some say is happening. Each character has the common goal of surviving and outrunning what is out there but yet each character couldn't be more different. We get so many emotions running through the characters and pages of Dark Inside but it never feels overwhelming. The cowardice, the bravery, the sadness, the adrenaline, everything the characters (and the reader) feel ties in so well and makes for a great book. And the ending!? Wow!
Jeyn Roberts debut novel is awesome, truly truly awesome, and definitely worth the read! Just be prepared, at times Dark Inside is gruesome and paints a clear, sometimes unwanted picture in your head that may keep you up at night!
Enjoy!
Show Less
LibraryThing member bella55075
What if we, as a population, are the reason that mankind is extinguished. We are the ones that kill each other off. We, who give in to our dark thoughts. Those dark thoughts we let take over and multiply. Would there be a small few of us that wouldn't give in? Would these small few be able to
Show More
survive against the rest? Show Less
LibraryThing member Krista23
Wow, this story is pretty intense. I think if somebody had taken my picture while I was reading this book I would have a slideshow of variations between heartbroken, shocked/ wide eyed.
With the story being told from several perspectives there is very little down time. The reader travels from one
I did not quite catch on to why some people had the darkness arise in them and some didn't.
There is nowhere to hide, no one you can trust and where are you supposed to go now?
It was an amazingly dark story, as the title and summary say. There were several gruesome and horrific things happening. I loved it.
With the story being told from several perspectives there is very little down time. The reader travels from one
Show More
event to the other. From hundreds of schools getting bombed around the nation to random shootings and acts of violence. There was also several earthquakes worldwide which caused tsunamis and all of the things that come with catastrophic events happening all at once. There is no internet, phones and then people start attacking each other. Some are taken over by the darkness, shooting and attacking, seeking out all living people until the "danger" is gone.I did not quite catch on to why some people had the darkness arise in them and some didn't.
There is nowhere to hide, no one you can trust and where are you supposed to go now?
It was an amazingly dark story, as the title and summary say. There were several gruesome and horrific things happening. I loved it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Tristan_Bruce
Dark Inside is an intense and bloody thrill ride. This book is packed with heart stopping action from the very first page straight through to the last, you just can't put it down. With relatable characters and true to life scenarios this book scared the friggin pants off me. I was up all night, not
The story has a 28 days later feel, but even scarier is the fact that the people in this version don't turn into mindless zombies. Jeyn Roberts' monster retain their problem solving skills, meaning no matter where you go, they'll find you. They can even trick you into thinking they haven't been affected and pounce when your back is turned. So how could I not be awed by the iron will her characters have and the hope they refuse to lose. Four teenagers who have lost everything, the whole world turned to chaos around them, and yet they still push forward searching for safety. This is literally the definition of me against the world.
If you haven't noticed already, I love this book. Everything about it. The people, the fast paced plot, the insanity that this could actually happen, the foreboding feeling that lingers while you read it. I've even wondered if maybe her theory about the fall of these ancient civilization is dead on. If you like dystopian you should definitely read this. It isn't post-apocalyptic, it IS the apocalypse, so definitely something you'd enjoy. Jeyn Roberts made a killer debut with this book and I am pining for more of her work. 5 out of 5, obviously.
Show More
reading, just trying to stop jumping at every stupid little noise. You know a story has impact when your wondering if your neighbors have turned into bloodthirsty killing machines. The story has a 28 days later feel, but even scarier is the fact that the people in this version don't turn into mindless zombies. Jeyn Roberts' monster retain their problem solving skills, meaning no matter where you go, they'll find you. They can even trick you into thinking they haven't been affected and pounce when your back is turned. So how could I not be awed by the iron will her characters have and the hope they refuse to lose. Four teenagers who have lost everything, the whole world turned to chaos around them, and yet they still push forward searching for safety. This is literally the definition of me against the world.
If you haven't noticed already, I love this book. Everything about it. The people, the fast paced plot, the insanity that this could actually happen, the foreboding feeling that lingers while you read it. I've even wondered if maybe her theory about the fall of these ancient civilization is dead on. If you like dystopian you should definitely read this. It isn't post-apocalyptic, it IS the apocalypse, so definitely something you'd enjoy. Jeyn Roberts made a killer debut with this book and I am pining for more of her work. 5 out of 5, obviously.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jbronderblogs
We start the story with a huge earthquake on the west coast that frees a darkness that makes the evil thoughts in people come to light. Most people turn into crazed, murderous people that came to be called Baggers. The few people that remain themselves are most likely killed by the Baggers although
The story follows four teenagers; Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael. After Mason’s mother dies he is afraid of the emptiness and rage in him. He decides to go to Vancouver where he was happy at one time. Aries meets Daniel and is warned that things are going to get worse. She gets a group of kids from school together and they try to survive the Baggers.
Clementines parents are killed and she decides to make the journey west to Seattle where her brother is attending college. And Michael survives with a businessman after the police prove that they cannot maintain the peace.
I really liked this story. I was hooked from page one, couldn’t put it down, and finished it in one day. I like how people are portrayed in an apocalyptic world. Although they are affected by the darkness, they are portrayed, as many people would act normally. I also like how the survivors have to do what needs to be done to survive, it’s not murder it’s survival. I liked how the book ended yet it has the possibility of having additional books.
If you like apocalyptic stories, you will like this. Although the characters are around seventeen years of age, it will appeal to everyone. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this book for free from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab in exchange for an honest review.
Show More
a few have managed to survive.The story follows four teenagers; Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael. After Mason’s mother dies he is afraid of the emptiness and rage in him. He decides to go to Vancouver where he was happy at one time. Aries meets Daniel and is warned that things are going to get worse. She gets a group of kids from school together and they try to survive the Baggers.
Clementines parents are killed and she decides to make the journey west to Seattle where her brother is attending college. And Michael survives with a businessman after the police prove that they cannot maintain the peace.
I really liked this story. I was hooked from page one, couldn’t put it down, and finished it in one day. I like how people are portrayed in an apocalyptic world. Although they are affected by the darkness, they are portrayed, as many people would act normally. I also like how the survivors have to do what needs to be done to survive, it’s not murder it’s survival. I liked how the book ended yet it has the possibility of having additional books.
If you like apocalyptic stories, you will like this. Although the characters are around seventeen years of age, it will appeal to everyone. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this book for free from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member booknerdcanada
The world has had enough. It wants to rid the earth of humans. One day an earthquake rips across the world and causes mass casualties. The enemy in this book is not vampires, werewolves, or ghosts. It is the people themselves. The Evil that creeps into each and every person’s mind causes normal
Each chapter is dedicated to four Canadian teenagers: Michael, Clementine, Aries and Mason. We follow along as each character is torn between being normal and being evil.
I practically devoured it in one sitting! There’s a lot of action, and a lot of moral questions I found myself asking: What if this happened to me right now? Would I be the leader that would help the other survivors? Would I be as strong as these characters fighting to the death to stay sane and to stay alive? I loved every bit of it and I quite enjoyed reading about Canadian cities for once.
Trust me, if you enjoy any Dystopian novel, you’ll love Dark Inside.
Show More
human beings to rip and tear their own flesh and blood.Each chapter is dedicated to four Canadian teenagers: Michael, Clementine, Aries and Mason. We follow along as each character is torn between being normal and being evil.
I practically devoured it in one sitting! There’s a lot of action, and a lot of moral questions I found myself asking: What if this happened to me right now? Would I be the leader that would help the other survivors? Would I be as strong as these characters fighting to the death to stay sane and to stay alive? I loved every bit of it and I quite enjoyed reading about Canadian cities for once.
Trust me, if you enjoy any Dystopian novel, you’ll love Dark Inside.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LauraMoore
As soon as I heard the premise of this book, I knew I needed to read it. I love post-apocaliptic books, as well as dystopian and natural disaster storys, and this book was a culmination of all of that. An earthquake of epic proportions occurs, but the aftermath is where the real devasation begins,
This is not a pretty story at all, its graphic, at times a bit disturbing, but its fast-paced, action-packed, and extremely hard to put down. It's been compared to 28 days later, which is a zombie-movie that I LOVED, and I agree that it had that same kind of feel.
The story follows 4 different main characters, and while sometimes in the beginning I felt it a bit confusing as to what happened to who, it became a bit easier towards the middle of the story and pieced together nicely, and I do enjoy books that have multiple points of view because I feel like you can always find at least one character that you can relate too.
This book raises the age old question of humanity, and what us as humans are really capable of when put in an end-of-the-world, survival-of-the-fittest type scenerio. How far would people really go to survive or save those that are their worlds (family, friends, lovers, etc.)
If your looking for a fast-paced, page turner of a dystopian, you should give this book a try. It was promising, and was a great book, and just what I wanted to read at the time that I picked this book up.
Show More
when people start turning into killing-machines that they name the baggers with black veins in their eyes that kill everyone in their paths. This is not a pretty story at all, its graphic, at times a bit disturbing, but its fast-paced, action-packed, and extremely hard to put down. It's been compared to 28 days later, which is a zombie-movie that I LOVED, and I agree that it had that same kind of feel.
The story follows 4 different main characters, and while sometimes in the beginning I felt it a bit confusing as to what happened to who, it became a bit easier towards the middle of the story and pieced together nicely, and I do enjoy books that have multiple points of view because I feel like you can always find at least one character that you can relate too.
This book raises the age old question of humanity, and what us as humans are really capable of when put in an end-of-the-world, survival-of-the-fittest type scenerio. How far would people really go to survive or save those that are their worlds (family, friends, lovers, etc.)
If your looking for a fast-paced, page turner of a dystopian, you should give this book a try. It was promising, and was a great book, and just what I wanted to read at the time that I picked this book up.
Show Less
LibraryThing member renkellym
Dark Inside is a thrilling, incredibly suspenseful story that will hook you from page one. Though it sounds a bit like a dystopian, Dark Inside is an apocalyptic story at heart. There’s something compelling about the drive to survive amidst a crumbling backdrop, and Jeyn Roberts does a fantastic
The thing that interested me most about Dark Inside, besides the main characters’ fight to survive, was the underlying theme of monsters. Jeyn Roberts really takes the time to examine what exactly it means to be a monster, and how perhaps we’re all monsters just beneath the surface. I love when authors take their stories a little bit deeper and examine the human condition; it’s this effort that makes me feel as if they put effort into constructing something meaningful. I admire Jeyn Roberts’ ability to make the reader think!
In terms of characters, Jeyn Roberts also succeeds. Though admittedly at first the number of narrators can be a bit confusing, as the story progresses it becomes easier to remember each narrator’s storyline and featured characters. The narrators are nearly equally interesting and likable, and they each grow substantially throughout the course of the novel. The narrator I found most interesting, though, was “Nothing”, a human-turned-monster who occasionally regains control of his or her brain. “Nothing” gives us a glimpse into the mentality of the monsters that the other characters are running from, therefore giving the book an interesting balance and perspective.
If you’re looking for a book to put you right on the edge of your seat, Dark Inside is a perfect choice. Jeyn Roberts’ writing is quick yet fairly descriptive, and every page is filled with heart-pounding action. There is never a dull moment! Be prepared for an onslaught of characters, but otherwise Dark Inside is a completely awesome thrill-ride.
Show More
job of writing a story both about this and about the monstrosities humans can become. The darkness that emerges in friends and family members of the main characters is chilling, and it’s impossible not to constantly be wondering, what if?The thing that interested me most about Dark Inside, besides the main characters’ fight to survive, was the underlying theme of monsters. Jeyn Roberts really takes the time to examine what exactly it means to be a monster, and how perhaps we’re all monsters just beneath the surface. I love when authors take their stories a little bit deeper and examine the human condition; it’s this effort that makes me feel as if they put effort into constructing something meaningful. I admire Jeyn Roberts’ ability to make the reader think!
In terms of characters, Jeyn Roberts also succeeds. Though admittedly at first the number of narrators can be a bit confusing, as the story progresses it becomes easier to remember each narrator’s storyline and featured characters. The narrators are nearly equally interesting and likable, and they each grow substantially throughout the course of the novel. The narrator I found most interesting, though, was “Nothing”, a human-turned-monster who occasionally regains control of his or her brain. “Nothing” gives us a glimpse into the mentality of the monsters that the other characters are running from, therefore giving the book an interesting balance and perspective.
If you’re looking for a book to put you right on the edge of your seat, Dark Inside is a perfect choice. Jeyn Roberts’ writing is quick yet fairly descriptive, and every page is filled with heart-pounding action. There is never a dull moment! Be prepared for an onslaught of characters, but otherwise Dark Inside is a completely awesome thrill-ride.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
I love these types of books! It always makes me real excited to read a book that not only held up to my every expectation, but left me longing for more.
What I loved most about this book is the plot. Man, did it rock! The pacing is perfect from page one. This book has many point of view switches. It
I really enjoyed all the elements in the books as well. So much sacrifice, love, fighting and death. It made the book so much real with the emotions swirling between the pages. I adored jumping from character to character, seeing things from different views. Ms. Roberts made me love the point of view switching in this book. As the reader, I was completely excited to see what characters I can fall into next. Her writing is easy to read and very easy to fall into.
If you want a intense, fast read with surprises coming at you read this book! A very enthralling read from the beginning to the end, Dark Inside is intense.
What I loved most about this book is the plot. Man, did it rock! The pacing is perfect from page one. This book has many point of view switches. It
Show More
did not confuse me at all. It anything it enhanced the book making me read it faster. I loved that each point of view is connected to one another. I like how the Ms. Roberts captures the reader from the very first pages holding them down for something that they never expected. The reader is taken down roads never seen, things never told and eyes awakening to a whole new reading experience.I really enjoyed all the elements in the books as well. So much sacrifice, love, fighting and death. It made the book so much real with the emotions swirling between the pages. I adored jumping from character to character, seeing things from different views. Ms. Roberts made me love the point of view switching in this book. As the reader, I was completely excited to see what characters I can fall into next. Her writing is easy to read and very easy to fall into.
If you want a intense, fast read with surprises coming at you read this book! A very enthralling read from the beginning to the end, Dark Inside is intense.
Show Less
LibraryThing member AyleeArgh
In short: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts is an intense post-apocalyptic read, but unfortunately lacks distinct character development for its four narrators.
An ancient evil threatens to destroy the world. Countless people are turned into mindless killers and brutally murder the leftover good people one
My main problem with Dark Inside was there were too many perspectives to keep track of. The four main characters had different backgrounds but ultimately did not have as fully fleshed out personalities as I would have liked, making them difficult separate and difficult to relate to. Also, it did not make for a fun reading experience to have each character's chapter end on a cliffhanger only to return to them finally three chapters later. And often the promised action at the end of the chapter was completely skipped over by the time that character's story was returned to, making the experience even more frustrating.
If there was one interesting aspect that having four perspectives provided though, it's the differing outlooks and actions taken by each character and using this to evaluate what would be the best course of action for me should I ever find myself in a post-apocalyptic setting. You never know. It could happen. What's best: not risking it and staying hidden in a secret hideout or not being a sitting duck and never staying in the same place for more than a night? Grouping together with many people to have safety in numbers or going it alone so that it's not as easy to be tracked? These are important questions that we should ask ourselves in case the world ends tomorrow.
Overall, I can appreciate the intense plot and psychological undercurrents that debut author, Jeyn Roberts, created for Dark Inside. But ultimately, Dark Inside needed more in depth character and world building to keep me interested. I'm confused as to whether this one is a planned series or a standalone, but there were certainly a ton of unanswered questions leftover.
An ancient evil threatens to destroy the world. Countless people are turned into mindless killers and brutally murder the leftover good people one
Show More
by one. Dark Inside follows four survivors - Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael - in their quest to stay alive, find their families, and fight their darkness. Needless to say, Dark Inside is a pretty intense read. It was very fast paced with lots of action and lots of close-calls. Unfortunately though, it just didn't work for me.My main problem with Dark Inside was there were too many perspectives to keep track of. The four main characters had different backgrounds but ultimately did not have as fully fleshed out personalities as I would have liked, making them difficult separate and difficult to relate to. Also, it did not make for a fun reading experience to have each character's chapter end on a cliffhanger only to return to them finally three chapters later. And often the promised action at the end of the chapter was completely skipped over by the time that character's story was returned to, making the experience even more frustrating.
If there was one interesting aspect that having four perspectives provided though, it's the differing outlooks and actions taken by each character and using this to evaluate what would be the best course of action for me should I ever find myself in a post-apocalyptic setting. You never know. It could happen. What's best: not risking it and staying hidden in a secret hideout or not being a sitting duck and never staying in the same place for more than a night? Grouping together with many people to have safety in numbers or going it alone so that it's not as easy to be tracked? These are important questions that we should ask ourselves in case the world ends tomorrow.
Overall, I can appreciate the intense plot and psychological undercurrents that debut author, Jeyn Roberts, created for Dark Inside. But ultimately, Dark Inside needed more in depth character and world building to keep me interested. I'm confused as to whether this one is a planned series or a standalone, but there were certainly a ton of unanswered questions leftover.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hobbitsies
I think most of us have read books about oppressed societies under strict dictatorship after some distaster or another. And there are a lot of great books that follow that general storyline. But i don't think I've ever read a book taking place during the occurrence of the distaster. Until Dark
And let me just say straight out - Dark Inside is intense. I started reading it and had to put it down for a few days because it just made me want to cry and curl up in a little ball. Granted, I was sick and feverish and miserable already, but Dark Inside is a very intense book.
There's a lot of POV jumping and, even though it always takes me a little getting used to, I thought it worked pretty well for Dark Inside. There are a lot of different characters and even though I had trouble remembering some of their names, I immensely enjoyed each and every one of their storylines.
And yeah, okay. There are not a lot of questions answered in Dark Inside. And I've heard some people complain about that. But while reading the book, I didn't care so much about why what was happening was happening. I was more concerned with how the characters and humankind as a whole were going to survive.
Overall, if you think you can handle the intensity and slightly graphic violence and the overall awesomeness of Dark Inside, I definitely recommend it. It's a very intriguing start to the series.
Show More
Inside.And let me just say straight out - Dark Inside is intense. I started reading it and had to put it down for a few days because it just made me want to cry and curl up in a little ball. Granted, I was sick and feverish and miserable already, but Dark Inside is a very intense book.
There's a lot of POV jumping and, even though it always takes me a little getting used to, I thought it worked pretty well for Dark Inside. There are a lot of different characters and even though I had trouble remembering some of their names, I immensely enjoyed each and every one of their storylines.
And yeah, okay. There are not a lot of questions answered in Dark Inside. And I've heard some people complain about that. But while reading the book, I didn't care so much about why what was happening was happening. I was more concerned with how the characters and humankind as a whole were going to survive.
Overall, if you think you can handle the intensity and slightly graphic violence and the overall awesomeness of Dark Inside, I definitely recommend it. It's a very intriguing start to the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
Dark Inside is probably one of the darkest books that I have ever read. I usually write my reviews right after finishing, but this time, I just couldn't. I still can't really decide how I feel about this book. Most parts of me could not put it down, but I just couldn't let myself, I had to know how
The last chapter really confused me and I wish that it wasn't there, because everything I thought I understood kinda disappeared, and I would have been fine stopping just before. But the "nothing" chapters didn't really do much for me, so maybe that is why.
The fear is really palpable, and the characters all are truly survivors, regardless. I have to admire and hold onto hope with them, no matter what keeps happening around them. The only complaint I have is with the multiple perspectives, I didn't feel like I was in the characters heads long enough to completely keep straight what happened to who, and I had to flip on more than one occasion to their previous chapter to remind myself.
This is definitely for mature teens and those who can handle dark themes and some gore.
Show More
the characters fared and I couldn't stop until I finished. The last chapter really confused me and I wish that it wasn't there, because everything I thought I understood kinda disappeared, and I would have been fine stopping just before. But the "nothing" chapters didn't really do much for me, so maybe that is why.
The fear is really palpable, and the characters all are truly survivors, regardless. I have to admire and hold onto hope with them, no matter what keeps happening around them. The only complaint I have is with the multiple perspectives, I didn't feel like I was in the characters heads long enough to completely keep straight what happened to who, and I had to flip on more than one occasion to their previous chapter to remind myself.
This is definitely for mature teens and those who can handle dark themes and some gore.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hashford
I read a lot of YA and adult sci-fi and dystopian fiction, it is my favourite genre. And I have to say there is nothing about this book to make it stand out.
The plot is very simple. Huge earthquakes hit all parts of the planet simultaneously causing tremendous structural damage; in the immediate
Other reviewers have described the book as fast-paced, which is odd really, as nothing much happens! But I can see what they mean, there is plenty of action as the four protagonists battle their way along. It also has a cinematic feel to it, and would probably make quite a good disaster/survival movie!
There are four main characters (Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael) and a mysterious entity entitled “Nothing”. Chapters are narrated from the point of view of one character or another as the story progresses. Unfortunately, this device is not used to show the same events unfolding from different viewpoints (which would have added much needed depth); rather we have 4 very similar viewpoints progressing in tandem.
My main problem with the book is the lack of characterisation. None of the characters came alive off the page for me. It was just as well that each chapter had the name of the main person at the top, since the characters are indistinguishable and there is no attempt to change the writing style between them. Their attitudes are naïve – that’s OK, it is a teenage book – but there is no sign of change, nothing to show how the terrible events they have witnessed led them to grow as people and develop personal strength.
I rather hope that Roberts does go on to write a sequel, as there is plenty of scope in the story line for more development.
The plot is very simple. Huge earthquakes hit all parts of the planet simultaneously causing tremendous structural damage; in the immediate
Show More
aftermath some people go crazy and start killing everyone they can get hold of. The story follows four separate teenagers as they attempt to survive in a world gone crazy. Starting from various points in the US and Canada they all converge on Vancouver in an ending that seriously hints at a follow-up book.Other reviewers have described the book as fast-paced, which is odd really, as nothing much happens! But I can see what they mean, there is plenty of action as the four protagonists battle their way along. It also has a cinematic feel to it, and would probably make quite a good disaster/survival movie!
There are four main characters (Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael) and a mysterious entity entitled “Nothing”. Chapters are narrated from the point of view of one character or another as the story progresses. Unfortunately, this device is not used to show the same events unfolding from different viewpoints (which would have added much needed depth); rather we have 4 very similar viewpoints progressing in tandem.
My main problem with the book is the lack of characterisation. None of the characters came alive off the page for me. It was just as well that each chapter had the name of the main person at the top, since the characters are indistinguishable and there is no attempt to change the writing style between them. Their attitudes are naïve – that’s OK, it is a teenage book – but there is no sign of change, nothing to show how the terrible events they have witnessed led them to grow as people and develop personal strength.
I rather hope that Roberts does go on to write a sequel, as there is plenty of scope in the story line for more development.
Show Less
LibraryThing member katiedoll
Dark Inside is, simply put, one of the most messed up books I have ever read. But I mean this in the best way possible. It's chocked full of horrifying brutality, gruesome violence and lots and lots of depression, but I still found this novel freakishly entertaining.
There are no zombies in this
I was a bit concerned about how I'd feel about the alternating point of views between five characters. It bothered me at one point because I found myself only caring about one of the characters but I had to trudge through all of these other stories as well. As I continued to read, that annoyance went away completely. And once the characters unite, I feel like the entire novel comes together.
Overall, Dark Inside is a fast-paced, terrifying thrill ride of murder and adventure that will keep you awake into the long hours of the night. (Simon & Schuster had the right idea about that. Have some coffee handy because it will scare you hyper!) I definitely recommend this to those in the mood for something edgy, thrilling and intense!
There are no zombies in this
Show More
book. I feel like that's a big misconception surrounding this title. What happens to the people in this book is almost exactly like the movie The Crazies; regular people turn into monstrous, murdering machines. It's oddly strange and terrifying to have humanity be the villain and it made this book so, so scary. I wish the relation to the earthquakes and the reasoning as to why everything was happening was a bit clearer. It seemed to be touched on occasionally, but I don't recall ever getting a clear explanation.I was a bit concerned about how I'd feel about the alternating point of views between five characters. It bothered me at one point because I found myself only caring about one of the characters but I had to trudge through all of these other stories as well. As I continued to read, that annoyance went away completely. And once the characters unite, I feel like the entire novel comes together.
Overall, Dark Inside is a fast-paced, terrifying thrill ride of murder and adventure that will keep you awake into the long hours of the night. (Simon & Schuster had the right idea about that. Have some coffee handy because it will scare you hyper!) I definitely recommend this to those in the mood for something edgy, thrilling and intense!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Liz-C
The book is about four different teenagers, Mason, Aries, Clementine and Michael as they each share their own perspectives and thoughts on the world crumbling around them. A huge earthquake happens which results in a tonne of people all over the world going crazy. The people who were affected by
It was a very interesting read, Usually I'm not too fond of apocalypse-type books but this one definitely sucked me in right from the start. There's always something going on and it never gets boring even for a minute. Each chapter is from a new person's perspective because the four teenagers haven't crossed paths yet. That was probably the only thing I disliked about it. I can't stand when there's more than one person telling the story. But in a strange way, it didn't bother me too much. Jeyn definitely made it work.
The character's were brilliant! Their lives were all so very different but yet they each ended up in the same predicament. I think Aries was my favourite. Even though she was terrified throughout most of the book, she still remained strong and brave for the sake of her classmates that also survived and they all looked up to her like she was their leader. Mason was completely badass. I always come across males in books where the author basically made them cold with no emotion but Mason was definitely the opposite. He felt all the pain in his life and he tried to deal with it but it overcame him at one point and he lost it, just like any other normal human being would.
There's another mysterious person in the book called 'Nothing' who gets a chapter here and there telling the readers about his life. He came across as psychotic but it was definitely interesting and fun trying to guess who it was. I think I may have figured it out towards the very end but I'm not entirely sure because we never actually get told. Hopefully we'll find out in the sequel!
Show More
the earthquake begin killing people brutally just for their own pleasure and the four teenagers must find a way to survive the apocalypse.It was a very interesting read, Usually I'm not too fond of apocalypse-type books but this one definitely sucked me in right from the start. There's always something going on and it never gets boring even for a minute. Each chapter is from a new person's perspective because the four teenagers haven't crossed paths yet. That was probably the only thing I disliked about it. I can't stand when there's more than one person telling the story. But in a strange way, it didn't bother me too much. Jeyn definitely made it work.
The character's were brilliant! Their lives were all so very different but yet they each ended up in the same predicament. I think Aries was my favourite. Even though she was terrified throughout most of the book, she still remained strong and brave for the sake of her classmates that also survived and they all looked up to her like she was their leader. Mason was completely badass. I always come across males in books where the author basically made them cold with no emotion but Mason was definitely the opposite. He felt all the pain in his life and he tried to deal with it but it overcame him at one point and he lost it, just like any other normal human being would.
There's another mysterious person in the book called 'Nothing' who gets a chapter here and there telling the readers about his life. He came across as psychotic but it was definitely interesting and fun trying to guess who it was. I think I may have figured it out towards the very end but I'm not entirely sure because we never actually get told. Hopefully we'll find out in the sequel!
Show Less
LibraryThing member ElizabethMichael
Dark Inside was one of my worst nightmares come to life. It was recommended to me by a friend, who knows I don’t like post apocalyptic type books. She said it was a must read, so I thought why not, I will only have nightmares for weeks. The reason this book scared me was not because it’s a
Dark Inside is about a world were madness has broken out. Natural disasters of major earth quakes and people doing terrorist like acts. The people enveloped in the darkness going mad and doing brutal things, even to people they love. It was just pure mayhem and chaos. This book reminded me of the movie Crazies, just way better because there wasn’t a true reason for why things were happening. I like that the darkness isn’t really blamed on one thing. They bring up multiple questions and factors of why it was happening. My thoughts are in a way the book was telling us we brought it on ourselves.
We follow four perspectives in this book, five if you consider nothing.
Mason, oh poor mason. I felt bad for him. It seemed like his life was already crumbling apart and the darkness just made it worse. It is like that saying, “It can’t get any worse” and it just keeps going downhill for him. I feel like there were times he just wanted to give up, but his strength was amazing. He hung on by the nails and kept going. Some of the secondary characters we meet with him are twiggy and chickadee. I loved chickadee and I really wanted more for her and Mason, but the world they are living in can have a cruel twist for fate. Aries was probably my favorite character. You could tell she was scared shitless and yet still managed to lead a group and try to keep them alive. I feel like her story besides Mason had more depth. There was more involvement with other characters and the plot was more realistic for me. I don’t know how she dealt with Colin and I guess that makes her a better person because I would have left him in the beginning of the book. Colin just reeks of bad news. She is a fighter and I love that about her. The only thing I didn’t like about her was she followed the advice of a stranger, though it kept her alive it didn’t seem real. Though if Daniel was the stranger giving me advice I would have probably done the same. Who doesn’t like a dark and mysterious guy that knows how to save the day, literally?
Then there was Clementine. She reminded me of the typical all American girl. She left her hometown and went on a blind hunt for her brother. I liked the moments when she would “speak” to her brother and I think those little thoughts helped her. She was constantly scared and you could feel her fear come through the pages. You see her fight hard with baggers and run for her life to find her brother. She barely slept for the fear of something happening. I don’t want to say she was in denial, but I think a false hope kept her moving forward. Michael was the person I related with the least. He seemed like a strong character at first, but he became weak for me. I feel like you could have almost taken him out of the book and it still would have been an amazing book. The only thing I really liked about him is that he gives comfort to Clementine. I also liked that he brought in the term “baggers”, which is what they called the people that have been drawn to the darkness.
Nothing, who are you? I feel like I might know, but I don’t want to spoil it. Hopefully we will get to officially meet you in the next book.
Dark inside made me laugh, cry and get completely frustrated. It makes you constantly question everything. The writing was vivid and detailed. The scenes came to life on the page. You could smell the smoke and the rotting bodies. You could feel the sand squish between your toes and the rain chill your bones. Every emotion a character felt, you were right there with them feeling it too. Dark inside kept me up till early in the morning to finish and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Thank you Jeyn Roberts for writing an amazing book and giving me terrifying nightmares for days. I enjoyed everything about this book and I think I am officially a fan of books making the world come to its end. (Even if they will forever scare me.)
Show More
horror or thriller, but the actual thoughts it puts in your head if a situation like this really happened. How would I react? Would I be brave or would I be a coward? Would the darkness consume me? The thing is you wouldn’t really know how you would react unless it was happening. Dark Inside is about a world were madness has broken out. Natural disasters of major earth quakes and people doing terrorist like acts. The people enveloped in the darkness going mad and doing brutal things, even to people they love. It was just pure mayhem and chaos. This book reminded me of the movie Crazies, just way better because there wasn’t a true reason for why things were happening. I like that the darkness isn’t really blamed on one thing. They bring up multiple questions and factors of why it was happening. My thoughts are in a way the book was telling us we brought it on ourselves.
We follow four perspectives in this book, five if you consider nothing.
Mason, oh poor mason. I felt bad for him. It seemed like his life was already crumbling apart and the darkness just made it worse. It is like that saying, “It can’t get any worse” and it just keeps going downhill for him. I feel like there were times he just wanted to give up, but his strength was amazing. He hung on by the nails and kept going. Some of the secondary characters we meet with him are twiggy and chickadee. I loved chickadee and I really wanted more for her and Mason, but the world they are living in can have a cruel twist for fate. Aries was probably my favorite character. You could tell she was scared shitless and yet still managed to lead a group and try to keep them alive. I feel like her story besides Mason had more depth. There was more involvement with other characters and the plot was more realistic for me. I don’t know how she dealt with Colin and I guess that makes her a better person because I would have left him in the beginning of the book. Colin just reeks of bad news. She is a fighter and I love that about her. The only thing I didn’t like about her was she followed the advice of a stranger, though it kept her alive it didn’t seem real. Though if Daniel was the stranger giving me advice I would have probably done the same. Who doesn’t like a dark and mysterious guy that knows how to save the day, literally?
Then there was Clementine. She reminded me of the typical all American girl. She left her hometown and went on a blind hunt for her brother. I liked the moments when she would “speak” to her brother and I think those little thoughts helped her. She was constantly scared and you could feel her fear come through the pages. You see her fight hard with baggers and run for her life to find her brother. She barely slept for the fear of something happening. I don’t want to say she was in denial, but I think a false hope kept her moving forward. Michael was the person I related with the least. He seemed like a strong character at first, but he became weak for me. I feel like you could have almost taken him out of the book and it still would have been an amazing book. The only thing I really liked about him is that he gives comfort to Clementine. I also liked that he brought in the term “baggers”, which is what they called the people that have been drawn to the darkness.
Nothing, who are you? I feel like I might know, but I don’t want to spoil it. Hopefully we will get to officially meet you in the next book.
Dark inside made me laugh, cry and get completely frustrated. It makes you constantly question everything. The writing was vivid and detailed. The scenes came to life on the page. You could smell the smoke and the rotting bodies. You could feel the sand squish between your toes and the rain chill your bones. Every emotion a character felt, you were right there with them feeling it too. Dark inside kept me up till early in the morning to finish and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Thank you Jeyn Roberts for writing an amazing book and giving me terrifying nightmares for days. I enjoyed everything about this book and I think I am officially a fan of books making the world come to its end. (Even if they will forever scare me.)
Show Less
LibraryThing member msjessie
Dark Inside was a number of firsts for me. It was the first zombieish/esque apocalyptic novel I've read. It was the first horror novel I've ever willingly completed (I gave Stephen King a try when younger. I think my delusional line of thought was: "go big or go home." I guess you could say I "went
With a bleak tone right from the start, Dark Inside was a great change of pace for me. Not only are the "zombies" not technically zombies as usually defined, but darker, subverted and almost mindlessly enraged humans with no control and no compassion. That isn't to mean that the author stints from dark or disturbing elements - a scene with a pregnant woman being dragged by her hair into a murderous mob, or even just the casual mentions of people hunting CHILDREN at elementary schools still stand out in my memory days later - but they are simply not "supernatural" as in the undead. As chaotic as it is senseless, the violence of the monsters in Dark Inside illuminates the worst of humanity, hidden underneath and released by the quakes. I liked that the monsters of the novel were actually humans, apparently those not immune to a force that has ravaged the earth before. And let me tell you, these monsters or "baggers" as in "Let's go bag a deer" with the deer now being people, freaked me the hell out. There are several scenes that legitimately had my shoulders up underneath my ears. The introductory scene with Clementine and her family in the town hall was particularly well done: I was intrigued, freaked out and eager to read much, much more of what this author had in store. I loved that the zombies weren't brainless either, but actually capable of matching wits and besting their prey. It added ANOTHER level of suspense to a novel that already had me constantly on my toes. In a book where the monster can hide in plain site, or even set clever traps, and converse pleasantly, suspicion can and does fall on every character and it is best to do as Mason is advised and, "trust no one."
The rotating POV's of four main characters alternatively works for and hinders the novel. So many perspectives (the four main kids and also sporadically thing called "Nothing" has a few, short POVs) allowed for a wider, more varied view of the monsters and the destruction of the earthquakes, but it can also get quite repetitive with the minutiae. How crazy/insane/inhumane the "baggers" are is repeated a little too often between Mason, Michael, Aries and Clementine. It is a little hard to differentiate between all four characters as none is what I would call a fully three-dimensional, realized personality. It's just too hard, for me as a reader, to identify, connect and empathize with four different people that closely with a limit of less than 400 pages. It just shifts too frequently, with too little time between the narrative change. I liked all the teenagers well enough, but if I had to pick two specifically I wish had more screen time I'd definitely have to go with the two resourceful and smart girls: Aries and Clementine. While neither was so distinctive or vibrant I didn't have trouble blurring their individual storylines up until they meet, they both impressed me more than their male counterparts. I just wished for more from each - more personality, more individuality to distinguish Michael from Mason and Aries from Clementine.
All four kids end up independent and in charge of themselves - the exact situation most would have wished for before the earthquakes and now obviously the last place they want to find themselves. Mason, whose mother and entire school died the day of the quakes, is the most extreme example of the isolation of this new world, but none are exempt. I liked the spin on what most teens would dream of: complete independence.. but at what cost? Clem at least still searches for a brother named Heath, representing her hope for survival in this cruel world, Aries has her quest for a mysterious boy named Daniel who knows too much, and Michael has a dad lost somewhere out in the wild world of America. Watching the world shatter through the eyes of these four disparate teens was entirely compelling. Though they are not perfect characters, I found myself slowly hoping for a better outcome: for Heath to be alive, for Mason to lose his anger, for Clem to live until the end.. (She was occasionally so naive it pained me! But she was my favorite! Conflicted!) Especially because this is clearly a series, I have high hopes that these characters will grow into some all-time favorites. The potential is there: either more length or a trimmed POV list is hopefully coming in the next volume.
The author also does a subtle job of slowly doling out the information about what happened the day everything changed: from the unpredictable acts of nature (6 9.5 Richter scale quakes) to the eerily similar acts of terrorism (123 schools bombed all over the world) - all while fueling even more questions.
How did some people know beforehand? (i.e. man on the bus, the bombings)
Why are only some people turned into the "baggers"?
What determines the intelligence of each bagger?
If this is the earth clearing out the bad - why does it seem the innocent are the victims?
Who/what is "Nothing"?
As the kids learn that no one safe, either alone or in groups, each moves towards Vancouver and I began to have a few issues. First of all, none of the above questions are really answered. The first third sets up all these questions and none are fully solved to satisfaction - I'm already going to read book two so I just felt unsatisfied by the lack of resolution for any of the characters. The predicted and inevitable meet-up of all four teenagers felt rushed and unnatural for the novel - in a book of distrust, they just literally run into each other right in Vancouver and. . . . everyone's all hunky dory? - and threw me off from the flow. Which.. speaking of, seems to be in need of a little polish as well. Some of the transitions for characters, both between and within POV transitions, were awkward and repetitive.
This is a violent, gory, disturbing, emotional and funny book. I loved this way more than I had thought I would. I had initially passed this over in my monthly Simon and Schuster Galley Grab email but decided to give it a go on a random whim: what a great decision in retrospect. This is not a perfect novel but I had such fun reading it I can't imagine any rating lower than a 4 out of 5. It is consistently taut with tension and occasionally fraught with emotion (Chee! Clem's parents!) and definitely not one to miss for anyone looking for a zombieish novel. A pulse-racing novel from start to finish, I can't wait to get my hands on book two - especially after such an open-ended conclusion.
Show More
home". . . but I digress.) This is also the first time in a long time that I have enjoyed being scared (and disturbed) so much. Unfortunately, all is not perfect in Ms. Roberts' tale of world gone awry, but I more than loved it enough to make it one of my favorite reads of the year so far. It may not be the most traditional zombie/horror fare (though I have just admitted I have no idea and no right to judge but try and stop me!) but it is GREAT read, and is one of the few young-adult novels that can successfully bridge the gap into more adult fiction.With a bleak tone right from the start, Dark Inside was a great change of pace for me. Not only are the "zombies" not technically zombies as usually defined, but darker, subverted and almost mindlessly enraged humans with no control and no compassion. That isn't to mean that the author stints from dark or disturbing elements - a scene with a pregnant woman being dragged by her hair into a murderous mob, or even just the casual mentions of people hunting CHILDREN at elementary schools still stand out in my memory days later - but they are simply not "supernatural" as in the undead. As chaotic as it is senseless, the violence of the monsters in Dark Inside illuminates the worst of humanity, hidden underneath and released by the quakes. I liked that the monsters of the novel were actually humans, apparently those not immune to a force that has ravaged the earth before. And let me tell you, these monsters or "baggers" as in "Let's go bag a deer" with the deer now being people, freaked me the hell out. There are several scenes that legitimately had my shoulders up underneath my ears. The introductory scene with Clementine and her family in the town hall was particularly well done: I was intrigued, freaked out and eager to read much, much more of what this author had in store. I loved that the zombies weren't brainless either, but actually capable of matching wits and besting their prey. It added ANOTHER level of suspense to a novel that already had me constantly on my toes. In a book where the monster can hide in plain site, or even set clever traps, and converse pleasantly, suspicion can and does fall on every character and it is best to do as Mason is advised and, "trust no one."
The rotating POV's of four main characters alternatively works for and hinders the novel. So many perspectives (the four main kids and also sporadically thing called "Nothing" has a few, short POVs) allowed for a wider, more varied view of the monsters and the destruction of the earthquakes, but it can also get quite repetitive with the minutiae. How crazy/insane/inhumane the "baggers" are is repeated a little too often between Mason, Michael, Aries and Clementine. It is a little hard to differentiate between all four characters as none is what I would call a fully three-dimensional, realized personality. It's just too hard, for me as a reader, to identify, connect and empathize with four different people that closely with a limit of less than 400 pages. It just shifts too frequently, with too little time between the narrative change. I liked all the teenagers well enough, but if I had to pick two specifically I wish had more screen time I'd definitely have to go with the two resourceful and smart girls: Aries and Clementine. While neither was so distinctive or vibrant I didn't have trouble blurring their individual storylines up until they meet, they both impressed me more than their male counterparts. I just wished for more from each - more personality, more individuality to distinguish Michael from Mason and Aries from Clementine.
All four kids end up independent and in charge of themselves - the exact situation most would have wished for before the earthquakes and now obviously the last place they want to find themselves. Mason, whose mother and entire school died the day of the quakes, is the most extreme example of the isolation of this new world, but none are exempt. I liked the spin on what most teens would dream of: complete independence.. but at what cost? Clem at least still searches for a brother named Heath, representing her hope for survival in this cruel world, Aries has her quest for a mysterious boy named Daniel who knows too much, and Michael has a dad lost somewhere out in the wild world of America. Watching the world shatter through the eyes of these four disparate teens was entirely compelling. Though they are not perfect characters, I found myself slowly hoping for a better outcome: for Heath to be alive, for Mason to lose his anger, for Clem to live until the end.. (She was occasionally so naive it pained me! But she was my favorite! Conflicted!) Especially because this is clearly a series, I have high hopes that these characters will grow into some all-time favorites. The potential is there: either more length or a trimmed POV list is hopefully coming in the next volume.
The author also does a subtle job of slowly doling out the information about what happened the day everything changed: from the unpredictable acts of nature (6 9.5 Richter scale quakes) to the eerily similar acts of terrorism (123 schools bombed all over the world) - all while fueling even more questions.
How did some people know beforehand? (i.e. man on the bus, the bombings)
Why are only some people turned into the "baggers"?
What determines the intelligence of each bagger?
If this is the earth clearing out the bad - why does it seem the innocent are the victims?
Who/what is "Nothing"?
As the kids learn that no one safe, either alone or in groups, each moves towards Vancouver and I began to have a few issues. First of all, none of the above questions are really answered. The first third sets up all these questions and none are fully solved to satisfaction - I'm already going to read book two so I just felt unsatisfied by the lack of resolution for any of the characters. The predicted and inevitable meet-up of all four teenagers felt rushed and unnatural for the novel - in a book of distrust, they just literally run into each other right in Vancouver and. . . . everyone's all hunky dory? - and threw me off from the flow. Which.. speaking of, seems to be in need of a little polish as well. Some of the transitions for characters, both between and within POV transitions, were awkward and repetitive.
This is a violent, gory, disturbing, emotional and funny book. I loved this way more than I had thought I would. I had initially passed this over in my monthly Simon and Schuster Galley Grab email but decided to give it a go on a random whim: what a great decision in retrospect. This is not a perfect novel but I had such fun reading it I can't imagine any rating lower than a 4 out of 5. It is consistently taut with tension and occasionally fraught with emotion (Chee! Clem's parents!) and definitely not one to miss for anyone looking for a zombieish novel. A pulse-racing novel from start to finish, I can't wait to get my hands on book two - especially after such an open-ended conclusion.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Marlene-NL
Before I started reading I had no clue what kind of book this was. Was it young adult? A thriller? Only thing I did know that there was a second book.
Well after reading a few chapters I know now and I am loving it! Love the different chapters told by different characters. Love, love, love!
Update.
What I liked was the story itself and that the main characters told their stories in various chapters and the story was very exiting.
What I did not like was that it is hard to remember who is who. I kept confusing Michael and Mason till near the end of book 2! The characters were very alike I thought. Not only the 2 I mentioned but nearly all of them.
Well after reading a few chapters I know now and I am loving it! Love the different chapters told by different characters. Love, love, love!
Update.
Show More
Finished this 2 days ago on the 28th and immediately started to read the second book.What I liked was the story itself and that the main characters told their stories in various chapters and the story was very exiting.
What I did not like was that it is hard to remember who is who. I kept confusing Michael and Mason till near the end of book 2! The characters were very alike I thought. Not only the 2 I mentioned but nearly all of them.
Show Less
LibraryThing member littleton_pace
***spoilers to follow***
The phrase "chillingly brilliant" in description of the novel found at the back of the book seems a tad overzealous.
The basic idea is that after a series of tumultuous earthquakes, something is released that turns people into killing machines (not zombies, just murderous
We're treated to four protagonists who attempt to differ as much as possible but by the end I was still confusing Mason with Michael and vice versa. The female characters are thankfully much easier to tell apart. Mainly because Clementine is the only redeeming quality of this book, and Aries is everything I hate about teenage girls in YA fiction.
We start in four different places that are in relatively the same place. Mason's mother is in a coma following a car accident so he is not in his school when the earthquake hits. When it does, most of the students are killed. Clementine is in church with her family after the earthquakes but managed to escape when one of the people effected by whatever this sickness is (its never named/discovered) has a moment of clarity and tells her to run. I forget what Michael was doing, I think he's in a car with a friend. And Aries is on a bus with another friend.
I'll start with Aries because honestly she is a terrible character. She's clearly written for simpering teenage girls who fawn over characters that fall instantly in love with strangers. Before the earthquake whilst on the bus with best friend Sara, Aries locks eyes with a Mysterious Boy Stranger. Then the earthquake hits and the bus is smashed. Aries is buried under people, but Mysterious Stranger is right there to help her and Aries is already describing how reassuring his hands are. Never mind that her friend Sara is dead nearby.
Mysterious Stranger is named Daniel, who just after rescuing Aries from the bus and no one else, tells her "A lot of people are going to die and this is only the beginning." How he knows this is never revealed, I think this is a series so I'm sure it'll be revealed but right off the bat it just sounds stupid. Immediately Daniel tells Aries he has to find her somewhere to hide, starting the trend in this novel for girls to be protected by boys and never themselves. Aries utters the cringe-worthy phrases of "Don't leave me, I need you." to Daniel as well as "Please don't leave." A boy she's known for maybe a couple of hours? I haven't known him enough to care about him hanging around, I dunno why Aries is. But Aries is only feels safe around men so I guess that's why. Daniel offers terribly soap opera lines of "you have to take a leap of faith" and "there is no reasoning anymore". Then, perhaps sensing how stalker-ishly clingy Aries is, Daniel bails leaving Aries at a complete loss of how to live without this stranger she's known for a second. I'd be more concerned about my dead, mangled best friend left in the bus, but whatever.
Oh, wait I forgot, there's a fifth protagonist. Some weird entity known as The Nothing. I don't really get why those paragraphs are in there, to me they could have been taken out as they didn't add anything to the narrative.
Clementine is the best part of the book to me, and the only reason I gave this two stars instead of one. Her chapters were most definitely my favourite to read. I liked her mental letters to her missing older brother, plus she spends the bulk of her time surviving alone which is what I like a female protagonist to do. My highlight of the book is the chapter where Clementine is hiding in a dugout from two Baggers, one of whom unknowingly pisses on her, so she goes on a search for a clean shirt only to have it soiled when she's forced to fight for her life.
Michael is forgettable, a 17 year old who becomes a leader of a group that includes a stable Sheriff (or some sort of lawman)? Yeah, I don't buy it. It's probably not Michael's fault he's not memorable, all the males in this narrative are distinguishable only by the length or colour of their hair. Having said that, Michael eventually meets up with Clementine and I didn't catch on that Michael was the same Michael from earlier until the end when I was like "Wait... when did Michael meet up with Clementine?" Maybe that's my fault. But Michael becomes that big, beefy "I gotta protect you even though I've only known you for ten minutes!" type which I also hate quite vehemently.
Mason runs into two people I assume are Native American, the girl being Chickadee. Maybe this is a common name amongst the culture so I don't want to sound rude when I say it sounded strange; but it did. Especially when the guy she's with is given the basic name of Paul. Paul leaves for some reason, sending Chickadee into an Aries-like state of "how could he leave me?" and bemoaning to Mason that he dare not leave her alone because of how much she needs him. Again, I don't know why. Chickadee suddenly reveals she has diabetes, reminding both Mason and the reader that he saw her searching for drugs when she first met him - a fact that I definitely had forgotten. And then she dies soon after Mason makes a cringey self-admission that he hadn't realized how much he allowed himself to care for Chickadee. Ugh, it's just painful to read. Maybe I'm cynical, but teenage love in fiction is stupid and laughable.
Aries meets up with some friends from school and then stumbles upon Daniel, immediately angry at him for leaving her. He then offers yet another cliche soap-opera line of "it's not safe for you to be around me." Which has no effect on Aries who still desperately wants him glued to her side for some reason. I don't get it, he dragged her out of a bus then ran off. What does she need him for?
Mason, who has been struggling with anger all through the story, is given helpful advice from Daniel that he simply must make a choice as to whether or not he turns into one of the crazy people, or Baggers as they're confusingly dubbed. So, it's all about a choice? Or is that just for Mason? And not the parents turning on children, husbands slaughtering wives, etc? And if Daniel knew this, why didn't he mention it earlier? Would have saved everyone a lot of anxiety.
It's not a well written novel. We're constantly told that characters feel scared, exhausted, or cheated but that's all it is. Telling. This author has clearly not though to apply the Show Don't Tell rule to her narrative. There are quite a few grammatical errors, simply horrible sentence structure and confusing paragraphs. More than once I had to skim back to find out when the person talking had come back into the scene.
In the first half of the book we're given a Three Weeks Later, which only leads to us being told in backstory what has happened to each character in those last three weeks. Which begs the question, why bother? It seems cheap to me, as backstory and simple re-telling is easier than writing action and scenes.
At the end of the novel, our four protagonists meet up which seems to mainly serve as a vehicle for each of them to explain how awesome the others all are. Very promising novel, fails to deliver. I think it definitely needed more practiced eyes editing it and a few more rewrites before it was published. Could have been good, instead it's bad. Simple as that.
The phrase "chillingly brilliant" in description of the novel found at the back of the book seems a tad overzealous.
The basic idea is that after a series of tumultuous earthquakes, something is released that turns people into killing machines (not zombies, just murderous
Show More
maniacs).We're treated to four protagonists who attempt to differ as much as possible but by the end I was still confusing Mason with Michael and vice versa. The female characters are thankfully much easier to tell apart. Mainly because Clementine is the only redeeming quality of this book, and Aries is everything I hate about teenage girls in YA fiction.
We start in four different places that are in relatively the same place. Mason's mother is in a coma following a car accident so he is not in his school when the earthquake hits. When it does, most of the students are killed. Clementine is in church with her family after the earthquakes but managed to escape when one of the people effected by whatever this sickness is (its never named/discovered) has a moment of clarity and tells her to run. I forget what Michael was doing, I think he's in a car with a friend. And Aries is on a bus with another friend.
I'll start with Aries because honestly she is a terrible character. She's clearly written for simpering teenage girls who fawn over characters that fall instantly in love with strangers. Before the earthquake whilst on the bus with best friend Sara, Aries locks eyes with a Mysterious Boy Stranger. Then the earthquake hits and the bus is smashed. Aries is buried under people, but Mysterious Stranger is right there to help her and Aries is already describing how reassuring his hands are. Never mind that her friend Sara is dead nearby.
Mysterious Stranger is named Daniel, who just after rescuing Aries from the bus and no one else, tells her "A lot of people are going to die and this is only the beginning." How he knows this is never revealed, I think this is a series so I'm sure it'll be revealed but right off the bat it just sounds stupid. Immediately Daniel tells Aries he has to find her somewhere to hide, starting the trend in this novel for girls to be protected by boys and never themselves. Aries utters the cringe-worthy phrases of "Don't leave me, I need you." to Daniel as well as "Please don't leave." A boy she's known for maybe a couple of hours? I haven't known him enough to care about him hanging around, I dunno why Aries is. But Aries is only feels safe around men so I guess that's why. Daniel offers terribly soap opera lines of "you have to take a leap of faith" and "there is no reasoning anymore". Then, perhaps sensing how stalker-ishly clingy Aries is, Daniel bails leaving Aries at a complete loss of how to live without this stranger she's known for a second. I'd be more concerned about my dead, mangled best friend left in the bus, but whatever.
Oh, wait I forgot, there's a fifth protagonist. Some weird entity known as The Nothing. I don't really get why those paragraphs are in there, to me they could have been taken out as they didn't add anything to the narrative.
Clementine is the best part of the book to me, and the only reason I gave this two stars instead of one. Her chapters were most definitely my favourite to read. I liked her mental letters to her missing older brother, plus she spends the bulk of her time surviving alone which is what I like a female protagonist to do. My highlight of the book is the chapter where Clementine is hiding in a dugout from two Baggers, one of whom unknowingly pisses on her, so she goes on a search for a clean shirt only to have it soiled when she's forced to fight for her life.
Michael is forgettable, a 17 year old who becomes a leader of a group that includes a stable Sheriff (or some sort of lawman)? Yeah, I don't buy it. It's probably not Michael's fault he's not memorable, all the males in this narrative are distinguishable only by the length or colour of their hair. Having said that, Michael eventually meets up with Clementine and I didn't catch on that Michael was the same Michael from earlier until the end when I was like "Wait... when did Michael meet up with Clementine?" Maybe that's my fault. But Michael becomes that big, beefy "I gotta protect you even though I've only known you for ten minutes!" type which I also hate quite vehemently.
Mason runs into two people I assume are Native American, the girl being Chickadee. Maybe this is a common name amongst the culture so I don't want to sound rude when I say it sounded strange; but it did. Especially when the guy she's with is given the basic name of Paul. Paul leaves for some reason, sending Chickadee into an Aries-like state of "how could he leave me?" and bemoaning to Mason that he dare not leave her alone because of how much she needs him. Again, I don't know why. Chickadee suddenly reveals she has diabetes, reminding both Mason and the reader that he saw her searching for drugs when she first met him - a fact that I definitely had forgotten. And then she dies soon after Mason makes a cringey self-admission that he hadn't realized how much he allowed himself to care for Chickadee. Ugh, it's just painful to read. Maybe I'm cynical, but teenage love in fiction is stupid and laughable.
Aries meets up with some friends from school and then stumbles upon Daniel, immediately angry at him for leaving her. He then offers yet another cliche soap-opera line of "it's not safe for you to be around me." Which has no effect on Aries who still desperately wants him glued to her side for some reason. I don't get it, he dragged her out of a bus then ran off. What does she need him for?
Mason, who has been struggling with anger all through the story, is given helpful advice from Daniel that he simply must make a choice as to whether or not he turns into one of the crazy people, or Baggers as they're confusingly dubbed. So, it's all about a choice? Or is that just for Mason? And not the parents turning on children, husbands slaughtering wives, etc? And if Daniel knew this, why didn't he mention it earlier? Would have saved everyone a lot of anxiety.
It's not a well written novel. We're constantly told that characters feel scared, exhausted, or cheated but that's all it is. Telling. This author has clearly not though to apply the Show Don't Tell rule to her narrative. There are quite a few grammatical errors, simply horrible sentence structure and confusing paragraphs. More than once I had to skim back to find out when the person talking had come back into the scene.
In the first half of the book we're given a Three Weeks Later, which only leads to us being told in backstory what has happened to each character in those last three weeks. Which begs the question, why bother? It seems cheap to me, as backstory and simple re-telling is easier than writing action and scenes.
At the end of the novel, our four protagonists meet up which seems to mainly serve as a vehicle for each of them to explain how awesome the others all are. Very promising novel, fails to deliver. I think it definitely needed more practiced eyes editing it and a few more rewrites before it was published. Could have been good, instead it's bad. Simple as that.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BookLoversLife
This book is dark and kinda disturbing but it was so good! Loved it.
LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
2.5 stars - I felt like the author was trying to go in too many directions at once with all of the characters, but never got any of them real defined. Lots of blood and gore for those who like it.
LibraryThing member Cynical_Ames
DNF. Skimming isn't going to get the job done.
Too many POVs when one would've sufficed until that one character met up with others. Chopping up the book in this way prevented me from feeling sympathy and developing an emotional attachment because once a tragic event occurs it cuts to a different
Graphic violence doesn't bother me, my boredom of its ever presence without a break to develop some depth did. This kind of reminds me of my experience with the movie Skyline, and even Cloverfield.
Flipping to the back and reading the end didn't give me any hope Dark Inside would improve.
68/360 pages read the last few chapters.
Too many POVs when one would've sufficed until that one character met up with others. Chopping up the book in this way prevented me from feeling sympathy and developing an emotional attachment because once a tragic event occurs it cuts to a different
Show More
character in another location. Mason's POV begins the story, I wanted to follow him to his blown-up school not switch to someone else, and when we do return to him 24 hours have gone by. Frustrating. Graphic violence doesn't bother me, my boredom of its ever presence without a break to develop some depth did. This kind of reminds me of my experience with the movie Skyline, and even Cloverfield.
Flipping to the back and reading the end didn't give me any hope Dark Inside would improve.
68/360 pages read the last few chapters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Zaru14
The book Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts is a very interesting, adventurous and fun book to read. This book is about the feeling of nothing, a lonely, evil and dangerous feeling that can turn ordinary people into psychos and plunge the world into complete chaos. Societies across the whole world has
Show More
fallen. No one is safe. Family members are killing their brothers, sisters, and parents. No one can be trusted, and only a few survivors have the strenght to do it. This book takes 4 different teens perspective and writes about the chaotic events that is happening all around them, and what can they do to stop it. Read this book to find the outcome of the book, and if you loved it, continue the series and read Rage within Show Less
Awards
White Pine Award (Nominee — Fiction — 2013)
Westchester Fiction Award (Winner — 2013)
Call number
YA B Rob