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Following a cataclysmic plague, the eastern U.S. has been
quarantined behind a massive wall extending from Canada to the
Gulf of Mexico. Crossing the wall is a capital offense, so
16-year-old Lane is horrified to learn that her her has gone
over the barrier and headed to the East. At the behest of the
authorities, she is sent after him and quickly finds her life in
danger from the Feral—vicious, hybrid beings who are half human
and half animal. Happily, Lane finds help from two fearless young
men: Everson, a guard, and Rafe, a soldier-of-fortune type. In
between swashing and buckling, both take time to fall in love
with Lane, who is being pursued by a tiger-man who wants to eat
her heart. Yes, life is complicated in the East, and more than a
tad melodramatic. Fans of dystopian fiction, however, will find a
good deal to like in this fast-paced mash-up that includes
elements of romance and horror and, no surprise, an inconclusive
ending that promises a sequel. Grades 8-12. --Michael Cart
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Review
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Praise for DARK LIFE:
"There's no denying the nifty premise, solid characterization,
and tense moments that contribute to a cinematic reading
experience. Falls's undersea world warrants further exploration."
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Falls creates an interesting reality in her new novel. . . .
Based on the young ages of the characters, this book will appeal
to middle grade readers, who will enjoy the novel's mystery and
suspense. It is a definite must-read for SF fans." - VOICE OF
YOUTH ADVOCATES
"A Western . . . with plankton instead of cows, harpoons instead
of six-shooters and submarines instead of covered wagons . . .
and a few plot twists keep the tension high. A thrilling
conversion of the classics to one of our newer frontiers." -
KIRKUS REVIEWS
"The exotic setting and well-conceived details about undersea
living, along with likable characters and a minor surprise at the
end, will keep readers turning the pages." - BOOKLIST
"Falls’ (Rip Tide,2011, etc.) first novel for teens is the
nail-biting start of a new trilogy.
Nineteen years ago, the deadly Ferae Naturae (“of a wild nature”)
virus killed 40 percent of America’s population. Now, 16 year-old
Lane McEvoy lives a safe, sterile life in the shadow of the
Titan, a 700-foot-tall wall that extends from Canada to the Gulf
of Mexico, separating the uninfected west from the Feral Zone to
the east. Lane’s life is turned upside down when the head of
Biohazard Defense makes her an offer she can’t afford to refuse.
Director Spurling has evidence that Lane’s her, Mack, is a
“fetch,” paid to retrieve valuables left behind during the exodus
two decades before. Unless Lane locates her her so he can
recover something the director has lost, Spurling will expose
Mack’s treason, and Lane will lose him to execution by firing
squad. As she ventures into the Feral Zone, Lane picks up two
unlikely allies: the enigmatic feral-hunter Rafe and the
militant, by-the-book guard Everson. Readers will find themselves
drawn into Lane’s story through the author’s consistent
worldbuilding and striking turns of phrase. Lane is an appealing
and credible protagonist; her progression from obsessive
cleanliness to fearless engagement with the infected is subtle
and believable.
Sure to satisfy fans of the dystopian-romance genre and to gather
new ones along the way. " - Kirkus starred review
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About the Author
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Kat Falls is the author of Dark Life and its sequel, Rip Tide. A
graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she holds an MFA in
screenwriting from Northwestern University, where she now
teaches. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three
children.
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