This Time of Darkness

In a far-flung future, the people are told the air above is too polluted to breathe-there is nothing left on the surface anymore. All that exists is the crowded underground city. Eleven-year-old Amy has always been the curious sort, but she has learned to hide her curiosity-and the fact she can read-from the adults who watch her. Until a strange boy tumbles into her world, claiming he is from the outside-and together the two of them must uncover old secrets and new worlds.This is a rollicking preteen SF tale by H.M. Hoover that I found back in the eighties and was one of my favorites. Though this was originally published in the eighties, Hoover's ability to conjure up a another kind of world, to tell the kind of stories that speak to the reader and spark their imagination still shines through-so it's unsurprising that so many of her books are being reprinted for a new generation of young readers to discover and enjoy. Hoover herself confesses in her bio that she wrote the kind of stories she enjoyed reading as a child-what better way to capture an audience? THIS TIME OF DARKNESS encapsulates the idea of a strange, oppressive future society with appealing preteen protagonists. Readers journey with them as the discover the way out of the darkness, but will the watchers allow them to find freedom and hope in the world?Many will want to pick this book up out of nostalgia-having read this when they were kids-to revisit the story they remember, and maybe to share with their children who are just encountering science fiction for the first time.This story is perfectly tailored to its audience, and while some of the future technology may feel a little dated since publication, the overall themes hold up well, and deliver their message of hope and perseverance admirably. If you are encountering Hoover for the first time, look for some of her other SF classics, like THE WINDS OF MARS, ORVIS, or my favorite, THE LOST STAR. For books in a similar vein, you might also check out THE CITY OF EMBER by Jean Duprau and DEVIL ON MY BACK by Monica Hughes.Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad

This is one of those stories that makes you think, "What if? If this world were REAL, would I be like a mindless, robotic moron?". I, for one, enjoyed this story of a futuristic, overpowered government of "authorities" that tries to control the citizens' knowledge. The main characters of the book, Amy and Axel, have dared to defy the somewhat ridiculous stipulations of the seemingly omniscient, omnipotent "authorities".Sypnosis: (I might give too much of the plot away! Sorry!) Ten-year-old Amy lives in a large underground city. (But, believe me, she has no idea that it is underground.) "The City" as everyone knows it, is overpopulated and disgusting. Filthy, roach-infested, it's a wonder anyone can stand it. But the inhabitants have no idea there is anything better. Told that all "levels" of the city are the same, they have no desire to even visit one level from their home. They move around like robots, the children going to "training dorm" to learn a "skill" (things like how to make the City's uniform thong sandals or pipe repair). Women do not even have babies just because they want to have children. Instead, they have them during "Baby Bonus" years, so they can get promotions. People are discouraged from reading, because they claim books are "sanitary hazards" and besides, all the signs are explanatory pictures. (The real reason, you will find out later in the book.) Amy goes about her same boring routine, but she remembers the "Level 80" stories of her childhood. Longing for something different, possibly something she read about (yes, Amy is literate) she talks with the strange boy from her class, Axel. Axel claims to come from the outside. This contradicts all of Amy's teachings, because all the "training tapes" she watches in the "learning centers" say that everything is City. Since she lives on Level 9, she and Axel decide to search for Level 80. When they discover what the stories are about, they also discover the "Authorities'" almost sinister plot to keep all the people on the lower levels "like sullen animals," as one "Authority" puts it. The "Authorities" release Amy and Axel to the "Outside," leaving them to fend for themselves among the nearly animal "Crazies," as everyone from the City refers to them. With help from an unexpected source (MAJOR PLOT SPOILER SO I WON'T TELL YOU WHO) they reach Axel's home town. (PLEASE DON'T READ ON IF YOU DON'T WANT THE ENDING SPOILED, because I'll just tell you.) In the end, we get a very vague glimpse of the "Outside" town of Mercer, but enough to know that it was completely strange to Amy, as she learns new things that astound her. As one reads this story, they wonder exactly how possible the whole thing is. It's eerie, even scary, when you really stop to think about it. It is science fiction with a slightly apocalyptic theme. This is one of the best science fiction books I have read in a long time. The plot is mysterious from the start, but it

Like so many others who are writing reviews, this was one of my favorite books when I was a child in the mid-1980's. (In my case, I checked it out -- several times -- from the local bookmobile.) I was randomly hoping get a used copy, and am thrilled to discover that it is back in print!

My story in connection with this book is like many others. My brother owned it and aged about seven I read it, loved it and promptly forgot which book it was. Four or five years later I pulled it off the shelf again and when a I realised which book it was I put it on MY shelves. Now, it is a bit dog-eared, the pages are falling out and I plan to buy a new copy when it comes out, but that's not because it has been kicking about under my bed for ages, it is because I have read it so many times. There is something wonderful about 'old' science fiction- nowadays it seems so overused. This is the original 'underground city post-nuclear war' book, where the main character lives in a society that never sees the light of day, eats food made in a lab, and where books and learning are discouraged by 'the authorities'. I love it. When it comes out, buy it and read it and never let it out of your sight.

I first read this book when I was 10 years old (some 16 years ago) and still count it as one of my all time favorites. A grot plot, complete with conspiracies, pre-adolescent sexual tensions, issues with authority, and political mystery make this an excellent semi-sci-fi thriller for any age. A reprint is a moral imperative.