The Tomorrow Code [Kindle Edition]

Brian Falkner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—"The end of the world started quietly enough for Tane Williams and Rebecca Richards." This intriguing first sentence immediately draws readers into the novel. When two New Zealand teens decode a cryptic message consisting of seemingly random patterns of 0s and 1s, they are alarmed to discover that the message appears to have been sent from the future by themselves via gamma rays and warns of a disaster that could affect the entire planet. Though this is a fine premise for a speculative fiction novel, the book suffers a bit from uneven writing and sketchy science. Still, the action scenes are dramatic, the message decoding is intriguing, and the underlying pro-ecology message of respect for the Earth (or else) is timely and will be enough to keep some readers interested. However, David Klass's Firestorm (Farrar, 2006) and M. T. Anderson's Feed (Candlewick, 2002) are stronger choices.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
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From Booklist

Three young New Zealanders square off against a biological apocalypse in this terrifying sf page-turner. Starting with the notion that “quantum foam” might be a key to sending messages back through time, Tane, his friend Rebecca, and his older brother Fatboy discover a series of coded transmissions from their own future selves: a set of lottery numbers, circuit diagrams for a transmitter, and ominous warnings about a “Chimera Project.” That last turns out (they discover too late) to be a scientific experiment gone wrong that produces an opaque cloud of deadly organisms designed to detect and kill all human life. Falkner crafts a solid thriller for his U.S. debut, in which immunology, ecological depredation, and Maori culture all play significant roles. Though he doesn’t resolve every time paradox (such as where those circuit diagrams originated), his tale hangs together well enough, and features an open ending that will leave readers waiting with fingers crossed. Grades 6-9. --John Peters

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 383 KB
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (October 28, 2008)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001IYY670
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,110 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Brian Falkner was born and raised in Auckland. He is the author of several novels for children and teenagers including, The Flea Thing, 2003 (AKA Henry and the Flea) which was shortlisted for the LIANZA Esther Glen Medal; The Real Thing, 2004; The Super Freak (AKA Super Freak) which was shortlisted in the NZ Post Awards 2006; and The Tomorrow Code (shortlisted, NZ Post Awards and the Esther Glen Medal, 2009). His next book is called Brainjack.

Prior to becoming a children's author, Brian trained as a journalist and then worked as a reporter and an advertising copywriter, a radio announcer and an internet developer. His hobbies include scuba-diving, travel, amateur theatre, photography and rugby.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tomorrow Code rocks!, January 29, 2009

By 

B. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tomorrow Code (Hardcover)

I just finished reading The Tomorrow Code, and was very impressed. I found the story hard to put down (stayed up far too late to finish it), and with a great storyline, engaging characters and a `satisfyingly hanging' conclusion, I would highly recommend it to any older teen (or adult like me!).
I read and recommend teen and Young Adult books as part of my job as a librarian, and also make my own teens read lots of the books I bring home. My 16 year old son has taken to requesting "no more of those teenage-boy-saves-the-world" books, but he really enjoyed this book, as did my 14 year old daughter, who's currently in a "mutant science" phase.
I think it's a shame that the book has been labelled and marketed for older children and younger teens, as some of the science or cultural stuff may make some details a little difficult for younger kids; on the other hand it's a nice change to find a book aimed at this age group that isn't full of sex, drugs, high school cliques, teen pregnancy and domestic violence. And as for believable storylines (see Catrini's review), kids don't seem to want these as much as adults think they should! Look at the popularity of books like Twilight, or the Alex Rider or Cherub series ...
And yes, some of the details may be a bit hard to accept, but how many adults have fantasised about finding a magical way to win the lottery? And how cool would it be to actually have a yellow submarine! Cultural and setting details may make the book a little more challenging for readers who have perhaps only read books set in their own culture, but it's a great way to broaden their exposure to other places, and maybe inspire them to learn more about other countries and cultures (and science?) at the same time.
I will definitely be waving this book in front of many of my teen and young adult readers, in the hope that they will get as much pleasure from it as I did, even if they don't understand some of the science or the cultural references!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Science Fiction with actual science, December 26, 2009

By 

C.O. (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tomorrow Code (Kindle Edition)

WOW! This book got into my head and stayed there for weeks. I even used it as a book club with my students. They felt the same way. Wonderfully written, although the first 10-15 pages were not as gripping as the rest of the story. Even though it focuses on time travel, it is really more of a social commentary of our attempts to destroy/ control nature.

For ages 13 and up, I can't recommend it enough. A good non fiction companion is "Time Traveler" by Physicist Ronald Mallet, a good fiction companion is "The Last Universe."

Could easily be used in a science class as a study of Physics or biology. Here are some of the topics covered: time travel, quantum foam, mobius strip, chimeras, pathogens, antibodies, and destruction of natural environments.

I read this book in paperback, my students read it on Kindles. The Kindle was really helpful as there is some tough vocabulary, and the instant definition option helped the students a lot.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I want my hours back., January 21, 2012

By 

D. Wood "Melfox" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tomorrow Code (Hardcover)

This novel started out very promising. The puzzles were interesting and I was invested in the characters. The mystery was intriguing, and kept you reading.
The problem started when you found out more about they mystery. The book turned into an anti-science propaganda, and their depiction of scientists was highly unrealistic. I work in a building that does animal testing, and they do not murder monkeys in front of screaming children, telling them "I told you not to name it." This is just ignorance. Rebecca, who I liked earlier in the novel, became very annoying. I ended up not finishing the book and just putting it down in disgust.
Someone please rewrite the last third of the book.