 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Deeper: Tunnels Series, Book 2
- By Brian Williams, Roderick Gordon
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Grim, gritty, and violent, but undeniably exciting.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a grimly violent book. Even more so than in the first book in the series, the violence is nonstop and sometimes gruesomely graphic, with many deaths (some quite sad) and horrible injuries. Children kill adults and other children, and major child characters are beaten and, in one case, murdered by adults. Although the story is quite grim, with lots of betrayals, suspicion, and
painful (physically and emotionally) incidents, the underlying themes
are of loyalty, determination, and ultimately trying to do the right
thing.
What's the story?
In this sequel to Tunnels, Will, Chester, and Cal are trying to survive in the Deeps, find Will's father, and escape. Hunted by the Styx, they fall in with the renegade Drake and his protegé, Elliott. Meanwhile, Will's dad makes amazing discoveries in the Deeps, and the boy's biological mother, convinced by the Styx that Will murdered her brother, is helping the Styx hunt him down. But what role does Will's fake sister Rebecca have to play in the story?
Is it any good?
The Tunnels series grows even more exciting in this installment, though it does have some notable weaknesses and caveats. Like the first book, DEEPER is badly in need of editing: There's far too much pointless wandering around. The characters continue to be cyphers, and most of them aren't particularly likable. And the authors have considerably ratcheted up both the quantity and gruesomeness of the violence, including having major child characters both kill and be killed, both normally taboo in books for children.
But the excitement and suspense are undeniable, and many young readers will be enthralled. It maintains a high level of suspense throughout: Its tone is unrelentingly bleak and horrifying, and it continues the gritty sensory description that was a strength of the first book. And once again, it ends with a tense cliffhanger. The authors still have much to learn, but it's good fun for those who like their fantasy grim, dark, and violent.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the book's often-graphic violence. Is all of the violence
necessary to the story? If not, why is it included? If it is necessary,
does it need to be so extreme?How does the violence in this story compare to what you've read in other fantasy novels? How does the book's overall tone impact the way the violence comes across?
How are the characters different here than they were in the first book? Are they changing and/or learning anything as their journey continues?
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AGE
AGE APPROPRIATE, FOR KIDS 10 AND OLDER
i think that its understandable for any kids that can read there are no concerns its an awesome book and i read them fast, easy and anytime im not skateboarding...
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AGE
Yes it is quite violent...
WHO CARES!!! All kids love violence, me including. For this series I give a big thumbs up! Parents please don't listen to this site. They overstate that it is gruesome and such. We didn't see the characters inner sides....BLAH BLAH BLAH. Do you think anyone cares? But honestly there were some dull parts...... But isn't that what makes a good book? Like so- Dull-funny-dull-exiting-dull-sad-dull-end. Isn't that how all books are layed out these days???... Anyway this was a great book and i Would recommend it to my new baby cousin(if he could understand me let alone read.)
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AGE
Awesomeness
This book is amazing and it makes you want to keep reading
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AGE
over reacting common sense
i love this book. common senses read the book don't scan it and say oh look there a head in jar scary let give it a teen rating. the book is awesome. because of you i got the book really late. thanks
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AGE
Perfect for Pre-Teens but not for younger kids
It's a great book for those of us who like dark, grim, violent tales with seemingly no hope or death for the main characters or if you are one of those people who like neverending action and suspense.
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AGE
Good for children who can stand violence.
I agree with Aus-da-boss strongly. It is violent, but your children aren't gonna become murderers because of this book. The website is overreacting a lot. I would recommend books by Darren Shan if anyone likes this book.
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| Authors: | Brian Williams, Roderick Gordon |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | February 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 643 |
| Hardcover price: | $18.99 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 12 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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