Dark Life

Dark Life by Kat Falls

Here is a book about an Earth ravaged by devastating earthquakes. The predictions about coastlines falling into the oceans have come true. New York City is gone. Gosh, New York might be gone. The Statue of Liberty has fallen into the abyss. It is buried so far down no one can find it.

There are too many people and not enough land which results in expansion like it always does. But instead of migrating upwards into the heavens, the pioneers choose to migrate down into the depths of the ocean. The new frontier. The new territory. The Dark Life.

Enter a young couple with the skills and the knowledge to settle and work the land. An aquabotanist who knows which plants to farm and harvest. Which fish to herd. All food worthy to sell to the Topsiders. And an engineer who can build houses that can survive the depths. Unusual buildings that take into account the unique shapes and systems that can withstand the pressure and the currents. The jellyfish on the cover? Our protagonist’s home.

Our hero is 15-year-old Ty. He is the first child born to the depths. Although he has visited Topside, he has always lived on the ocean floor. No one can swim faster than Ty. He learned to swim before he could walk. He shines because of a diet of bioluminescent fish. He shines enough that tourists want to touch him and take pictures. And he can see further through the water than anyone else.

Doctors from the Topside believe that children born and raised in the ocean are at risk for brain damage. The doctors believe that there is too much pressure on the young brains and therefore strange mutations are occurring. For instance, there is a research study about a boy who is able to use sonar like a whale. The government is considering shutting down the entire territory for the safety of the children.

The government is threatening from above and now a gang of outlaws are wreaking havoc from below. The Seablite Gang was known for stealing from the government and vandalizing government property. But now they have turned on the settlers as well. Cutting power to the generators that provide the heat for the farm life killing all of the livestock as well as damaging the homes and harming the inhabitants.

Amidst all of this, enter Gemma, an orphan on the run from Topside who is looking for her only living relative – a beloved brother – whose last known location was in the depths. The trading station that connects the depths with Topside is not the safest place for a young girl. Imagine – this is the Old West, but set in the ocean. There are lots of rough men trying to make a living and getting in each other’s way in the process. And you never know whom you can trust.

Excellent sci-fi for junior and senior high.