Customer Reviews

Rivers of Fire (Atherton, Book 2) (No. 2)

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Patrick Carman is quick becoming one of my favorite contemporary children's authors. This is the second book of Atherton but the first book outside his Elyon series that I have read. In this book the Land of Atherton was once three levels - the highlands, home of the ruling class, the flatlands below where strange creatures called cleaners live, and the table top with the three villages that provide the food for both it and the highlands. These three have been collapsing in upon themselves. As this world reshapes itself, the social structure is changing and the threats are not just from the changing landscapes. New creatures have been unleashed from the flatlands unto the rest of Atherton.

Edgar, Samuel and Isabel are three young people drawn into an adventure they never expected. Each feels they have a role to play in trying to save this world. Each must attempt tasks that they never imagined. Yet this world was also designed and built by man, by Dr. Maximus Harding to be precise, and it was designed to change. But will the transformation take place as planned? Will the wild creatures called the cleaners be defeated? Read the book to find out. This is another great book by Patrick Carman.

RIVERS OF FIRE is the sequel to the first book in the ATHERTON series, THE HOUSE OF POWER, by Patrick Carman. The book contains a great synopsis of the first book and a list of main characters that allows a person who has not read the first title to enjoy this second book. Although, I would still suggest reading the first book, because without it, character-driven activities and background can still be confusing at the beginning of the story.

During this book, we see Isabel and Samuel work together to seek out the truth to the collapse of Atherton and face the dangers of the world that they are realizing they barely understood. There is also Edgar, who embarks on a journey of his own to find Dr. Harding, the only man believed to understand the devastation and how to recapture peace in Atherton.

As these young people meet their destinies, there is a great deal of danger, action, and mystery to keep the reader interested in their plight. They begin to realize how fragile their planet truly is, and the repercussions of changing things in their eco-system; which provokes thoughts and concerns about the struggles of our time and creating a sustainable Earth.

Carman creates a world in Atherton that allows the reader to tackle some major modern concerns while following the well-developed characters of Edgar, Samuel, and Isabel through their own coming-of-age journeys.

RIVERS OF FIRE keeps the reader interested and is a great fantasy book for young adults and reluctant readers. There are even simple illustrations that add to the overall ease of imagination and story development.

Reviewed by: LaLeesha Haynes

Three lands previously separated by tall cliffs were now together as one...Danger seemed to close in from all sides, as it never had before, because the world of Atherton was flat.

Or was it?

When last we left Atherton, much was still in the process of change. Young Edgar, continuing to search for answers, is trying to adjust to the newness of Atherton's layout --- the cliffs he so loved to climb have disappeared along with the three layers that made up Atherton's geography. There are still dangerous-sounding rumbles coming from the Flatlands, and it is obvious that the Highlands are in the process of sliding down inside Atherton. For Edgar this is a mixed blessing. He sees that new cliffs are actually being created --- cliffs he can climb --- but he knows this world is at risk and somehow must, with Dr. Kincaid's help, find The House of Power and Dr. Harding (if the doctor is still alive.) One of the most fearsome dangers at present is the hideous Cleaners who now have easy access to the people.

The Cleaners were giant, ferocious creatures designed to find and kill anything in their paths. They had always been trapped in the Flatlands, but the Flatlands had risen and a thousand Cleaners had been unleashed on the world of Atherton.

In the time being, the evil Lord Phineus, leader of Atherton, is planning his next move so he can maintain complete control over the people and their water source. He will not relinquish his powers or his secrets because of some eager little boy, nor will he offer any information on the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Harding.

When Edgar and his party finally confront Lord Phineus, he has been bitten by a Crat (a cross between a rat and a cat --- one of Dr. Harding's creations), and this gives him only hours to live. As their prisoner, Lord Phineus alternates between his madness and something else. Readers will not expect the revelations that come from the dying man and the consequences to Edgar and his friends as they struggle through a place called the Infernal (rivers of fire, cave eels, fire bugs).

As all of these things are happening to the little traveling group, on the Flatlands their families and friends are in a mortal struggle against the Cleaners. Horace, once a follower of Lord Phineus, has vowed to protect his people. And along with the wise and kindly Wallace, they engage in an unforgettable struggle with the vicious beasts. There are heartbreaking sacrifices made as these brave men and their companions put up a dreadful fight against the blood-thirsty Cleaners.

When Edgar and his companions are finally near the end of their dangerous journey through the Infernal, Isabel, who has been bitten twice by fire bugs, encounters one last (known to be fatal) bite:

While no one was paying much attention, a fire bug danced out to the bay all alone and landed softly on Isabel's hand, and she felt something deep inside that made her think she was about to die. This time she did not convulse at the touch of the fire bug. She only went limp, barely breathing at the edge of the infernal.

RIVERS OF FIRE is a fast-action story with heart-stopping moments throughout. The development of the characters and the surprising revelations of their relationships give the book some intense twists. Readers will be riveted by the constant edge of mystery and adventure, which hopefully will continue in the third installment of Patrick Carman's compelling series.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

Rivers of Fire continues the Atherton series. Atherton is in crisis. There are dangers in the air and on the land and in the water. Edgar has the guidance of one of Atherton's creators and, with his help, Edgar meets up with the genius mind that began Atherton. This volume carries Edgar and his friends deep inside Atherton to face floods, more monsters, and rivers of fire.

Action. Adventure.

As an adult, I found this series to be fabulous. It's not quite as good as the Hunger Games but it's a story line I have never read before. I think this book is just as great as book 1. Can't wait to get my hands on book 3. I can't believe this story isn't more known to the public - since it's been out awhile. I've recommended this to my family and coworkers - you won't regret it either.

The boys and I read the House of Power first then Rivers of Fire and we are anxious to start the third book in the trilogy - The Dark Planet

Great books for adventure loving readers! Highly recommended

You know it is a GREAT book when your 11 year old is THRILLED when he gets it.