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A review by markgoodwin94
Timberdark by Darren Charlton
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I feel unfair giving the book this rating as I really was hooked throughout reading it, but there were quite a few flaws.
I liked how difficulties in Peter and Cooper’s relationship were portrayed as it would be unrealistic that they would have a fully functioning relationship, considering both of them come from single-parent families and are only 16. (As a side note I always find it weird when authors write characters as minors and depict them sexually? Is that not weird? Is it just me who finds that uncomfortable?)
Anyway, the central part of the plot hinges around Peter being distrustful of Cooper around the concept of Timberdark. Once you find out what Timberdark is, however, Cooper’s reasoning for not just telling Peter - not to mention all of his other suspicious behaviour - makes literally zero sense. The two patch things over pretty much immediately, despite the whole host of Cooper’s behaviours not being explained.
The anti-capitalist messaging was also about as subtle as a brick to the face, including a 3-page monologue about how people have become slaves to social media and therefore became zombies? So that probably could have been more interesting.
It was well written in the most part and Charlton knows how to create tension but I do feel like there are substantial plot holes at work here.
I liked how difficulties in Peter and Cooper’s relationship were portrayed as it would be unrealistic that they would have a fully functioning relationship, considering both of them come from single-parent families and are only 16. (As a side note I always find it weird when authors write characters as minors and depict them sexually? Is that not weird? Is it just me who finds that uncomfortable?)
Anyway, the central part of the plot hinges around Peter being distrustful of Cooper around the concept of Timberdark. Once you find out what Timberdark is, however, Cooper’s reasoning for not just telling Peter - not to mention all of his other suspicious behaviour - makes literally zero sense. The two patch things over pretty much immediately, despite the whole host of Cooper’s behaviours not being explained.
The anti-capitalist messaging was also about as subtle as a brick to the face, including a 3-page monologue about how people have become slaves to social media and therefore became zombies? So that probably could have been more interesting.
It was well written in the most part and Charlton knows how to create tension but I do feel like there are substantial plot holes at work here.