The Dark Planet (Atherton, Book 3) [Hardcover]

Patrick Carman (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

In the dazzling conclusion to the epic story of Atherton, Patrick Carman takes readers on the most rewarding journey of all, to the perilous realm of The Dark Planet: Earth.

When Edgar discovers a way to leave the mysterious satellite world of Atherton, he couldn't have imagined the gloom that awaited him on the dark planet, where the oceans are toxic, the forests are full of mutant monsters, and children toil in darkness, controlled by ruthless maniacs. Max Harding, an orphan of the Silo, the maker of Atherton, and the last hope of a dying world, left this place behind, and now Edgar is determined to complete the mad scientist's spectacular plan, revealing Atherton's true purpose.

Edgar's quest to discover Earth's dark secret leads to an out of this world adventure in the final book of the Atherton trilogy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—In this final installment in this dystopian trilogy, Edgar scales Atherton's underbelly to reach its long-forgotten docking station. Boarding a mysterious vessel, he travels to the polluted Dark Planet's "Station Seven" and its "Silo." Run by hardened Commander Judix and two cruel taskmasters, the Silo's labor force is made up of children under the age of 12, who produce food for the planet's sickly inhabitants. Edgar escapes with four Silo workers and a crucial Silo powder block. On Dr. Harding's greatest creation, Atherton, Edgar reunites with Isabel and Samuel, who've once again adventured inside their world doing their part to help. Three plotlines, facilitated by Dr. Harding's convoluted planning, converge to one final revelation and the fruition of his ultimate goal—cleansing Earth. This is primarily action-driven sci-fi with unique settings populated by creative creatures. Familiar and new characters (including one very cool dragon) maintain readers' interest (none more so than the deceased Dr. Harding, whose childhood home and firebug holograms reveal a more brilliant, kinder man pre-madness). Once again, Carman's introduction provides background information and character biographies for readers unfamiliar with the series. He successfully incorporates similar information throughout the novel, but reading the books in order is recommended. Pencil illustrations, many appearing like full-page notes, better explain Atherton and Dark Planet phenomena.—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ END

About the Author

Patrick Carman's previous books in the Land of Elyon series (The Dark Hills Divide, Beyond the Valley of Thorns, and The Tenth City) have all been New York Times bestsellers. Patrick worked in advertising for a decade and has also created board games and launched several businesses.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031616674X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316166744
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.

I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.

I've been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot's Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here's a fun note...the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I'm developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.

When I'm not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, January 26, 2010

By 

book bargainista "book bargainista" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dark Planet (Atherton, Book 3) (Hardcover)

My 11 yr old daughter loves this series and was so excited to get The Dark Planet, Book 3!

2.0 out of 5 stars Too wordy; not believable; shallow characters, November 11, 2011

By 

Jim Taylor (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Planet (Atherton, Book 3) (Hardcover)

This review was written by my 12-year-old daughter:

The dark planet is a fun story, but it could be reduced by half in size and still tell the story in full detail. The author is extremely wordy, and the whole part of the story with Samuel and Isabel could be taken out almost entirely.

Edgar, the supposed main character does not grow or develop, and we don't really know enough about him. All the characters are very shallow, and all the "science" about the transformation of Atherton and The Dark Planet are completely unbelievable.

If you can't find anything to do, then this is better than a bad TV show.

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, April 29, 2010

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Planet (Atherton, Book 3) (Hardcover)

Life in Atherton has changed and its people have started over. Edgar's encounter with his maker, Dr. Harding, has left questions that can only be answered by leaving the only home he has ever known.

Edgar's journey takes him to the Dark Planet; a sick and dying world filled with deadly creatures and air that fills the lungs with sickness. Edgar has come in search of information about his beginnings, but what he finds is so much more.

He's a part of Dr. Harding's plan to save the Dark Planet and its inhabitants. If only Edgar can survive the harshness of the Dark Planet and its people long enough to fulfill his destiny.

I loved Carman's LAND OF ELYON series and have enjoyed the ATHERTON series just as much, and maybe more. The characters and worlds of ATHERTON are thrilling and full of imagination and wonder. Carman has a magnificent way of unfolding a world and characters on the page that takes my breath away. Once I start reading, I can't stop until I reach the end. Even then I wish it could go on.

I enjoyed being immersed in the world and lives of the characters in ATHERTON, and THE DARK PLANET reached a satisfying end full of new beginnings.

Reviewed by: Joan Stradling