Freefall: Tunnels Series, Book 3

Review

Common Sense Media says

Series continues mix of grim violence, engrossing story.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
9
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like the previous two books in the Tunnels series, Freefall is a grim and violent -- but exciting -- story. Although there are fewer upsetting/unexpected deaths in this installment than in the previous one, there's still plenty of fighting, peril, and danger, and people do die. Characters are attacked by subterranean creatures, shot at, tortured, threatened, chased, and more. Many characters, including teens, wield weapons, and explosives are used in several instances. Still, despite the frequent betrayals, suspicion, and painful moments, the underlying themes
are of loyalty, determination, and ultimately trying to do the right
thing.

  • Educational value2
    Readers will learn a little bit about caving/exploring, but this is really a fantasy adventure that's intended to entertain rather than educate. Even so, it is reading.
  • Positive messages3
    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.
  • Positive role models2
    Despite his many mistakes, Will generally works his way toward doing the right thing ... even if it takes him a little while to get there. In this book he must also fight strong guilt and self-destructive urges. Dr. Burrows continues to be largely oblivious and selfish, but Will's mother is a much stronger character in this installment. Elliott is a resourceful, brave female character, and Chester, as always, is determined and loyal.
  • Violence4
    Fewer upsetting/shocking deaths than in the last book, but characters are still killed -- some explosively/cruelly. Constant danger and peril. Scary creatures menace and attack characters. Lots of shooting/gun use (much of it by the teen characters), as well as powerful, destructive explosives. Frequent threats between characters. References to dead bodies. The Styx commit brutal mass murder against supposed rebels/malcontents. A deadly virus is part of the plot. A character butchers giant subterranean insects (some gore described). Characters are threatened by someone with a knife and shot at by a sniper. One character is subjected to extreme mental torture.
  • Sex0
    Minor flirting/interest between teen characters.
  • Language0
    Characters use words like "blimey," "blast," "buggers," "darn," "shut up," "freakin'," and "for God's sake." Stronger cursing is referred to but not written out.
  • Consumerism1
    Very occasional references to brand-name items (like Caramac candy bars).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    Aunt Jean (a minor character) smokes and drinks.
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What's the story?

Picking up right where the tense final scenes of Deeper left off, FREEFALL follows Will Burrows and his friends Chester and Elliott as they venture even deeper below the Earth's surface. The boys find unexpected help for Elliott, who was injured in the group's fall down the Pore, and learn that the evil Rebecca twins are also loose in the depths -- and still focused on unleashing the Dominion virus on the unsuspecting Topsoilers. Will's adoptive father, Dr. Burrows, is caught up in events as well, and his determination to explore the book's bizarre, perilous subterranean world ultimately influences all of the other characters' fate.

Is it any good?

 

Like its predecessors, Freefall is a grim, violent story in which hope is often lost, characters are quick to betray each other (either purposely or through clueless selfishness), and no one is 100 percent likable. That said, it's also an engrossing, exciting adventure story, and readers who've made it this far will definitely want to find out what happens to Will, Chester, Elliott, the Rebeccas, and even Dr. Burrows.

Also like its predecessors, Freefall suffers somewhat from lax editing; the story could be tighter, and some of the plot turns are a bit hard to believe -- even for a fantasy novel. But for kids who think that more is more when it comes to books, the 600+ pages won't be a turn-off, and the unexpected twists the book takes near the end will certainly build anticipation for the next installment.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how the characters are developing as the series continues. How is Will changing? What is he learning? Do you consider him a role model?

  • Is all of the book's violence necessary to the story? How does it compare to what you've read in other
    fantasy novels? Does the book's overall tone impact the way the
    violence comes across?

This review was written by Betsy Bozdech
Teen, 16 years old
April 2, 2011
AGE
15
 
Good book series
I really like this series because of the unexpected action. The tunnel series is after the hunger games the best book series. I think many of you will agree. I would really like to give the series five stars, but because of the cliffhangers on the end of all the books I´ll decided to give only four.
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Kid, 13 years old
March 19, 2011
AGE
11
 
Three Stars? Try Five!!!!
Like the series, like action, like complex plots then this is for you. The plot is almost as complex the gundam 00 series. Betrayals and shocking deaths make the book a must for fans of the series. I have read all of the series out now and the sets the stage up for the next book.
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Helped me decide (12) | Had useful details (9) | Read my mind (11)
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Kid, 9 years old
April 16, 2011
AGE
2
 
cool
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Helped me decide (10) | Had useful details (11) | Read my mind (10)
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This review was written by Betsy Bozdech
Authors:Brian Williams, Roderick Gordon
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Fantasy
Publisher:Chicken House
Publication date:February 1, 2010
Number of pages:608
Hardcover price:$18.99
Paperback price:$8.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12
This review was written by Betsy Bozdech
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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