Common Sense Media Review
By Betsy Bozdech
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
New twists keep exciting but violent adventure going.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In CLOSER, Will, Elliott, and Dr. Burrows continue to explore the mysterious jungle world at the center of the Earth, never dreaming that a danger they know all too well will soon threaten their newly peaceful existence. Meanwhile, not knowing the trio's fate, Chester heads Topsoil with Martha but is eager to leave the increasingly unbalanced woman behind if and when he can. He eventually joins up with an old ally -- who has a very unexpected new partner. As plot twists take the characters in new directions, their underlying goal remains the same: Stop the evil Styx from destroying humanity with the deadly Dominion virus.
Is It Any Good?
Fans who've enjoyed the Tunnels series so far will find plenty more to like here. This is a solidly entertaining, well-paced series that continues to take its story in interesting (albeit implausible -- but, hey, it's fantasy) directions. It doesn't have the magic of Harry Potter or the humor and crackle of Percy Jackson, but it's creative and engrossing.
Few of the characters are 100 percent reliable or likable, but they do continue to develop and change throughout this book and the series -- something fans will appreciate. Will is now more thoughtful than he was at the start of the series, for example, and the once-pitiable Mrs. Burrows is becoming a veritable heroine. There are some shocking, grim moments here, but fans of the books will certainly be expecting them at this point and will be eager to see where the series goes next.
Talk to Your Kids 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 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?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Chicken House
- Publication date : February 1, 2011
- Number of pages : 544
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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