Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.
Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.
Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.
Meet The Author
Jeyn Roberts's first story was published when she was 16 in a middle-grade anthology called Let Me Tell You. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Writing and Psychology, received her MA from the prestigious Creative Writing graduate course at Bath Spa University. Jeyn is a former singer, songwriter, actress, bicycle courier and tree planter. Jeyn recently taught high school in South Korea, and is now back home in Vancouver, Canada.
Industry Reviews
"Amidst the recent glut of doomsday scenarios, Roberts makes her story stand out by focusing both on the physical challenges of finding safety in a world gone mad as well as the psychological devastation experienced by each of the teens. The terror of seeing friends suddenly transformed into monsters is keenly felt, but it is the teens' disillusionment with themselves, and particularly their ability or willingness (or lack thereof) to lead that is most affecting. ... Readers looking to prepare themselves for the end of the world might do well to start here."--BCCB "The suspense and frissons [are] offered up in abundance by this successful debut."--Booklist "A fascinating blend between Matheson's I Am Legend and Collins's The Hunger Games, Dark Inside will engross readers from the first written words, leaving them captivated by strong, compelling characters as well as the savage, destructive world they have to survive. Told from split narrations, a sense of unity is established that furthers the plot considerably and brings urgency and life to the book. Well-written and brilliant, Dark Inside will not disappoint."--VOYA "Roberts...masterfully [keeps] suspense high as the teens search for food, clothing and hiding places while fighting off attacks. The simple details of survival, such as living without electricity and refrigeration, fascinate as much as the fight scenes. Overall, a spirit of optimism wins through the post-apocalyptic despair. The four separate threads share enough common elements that, although distinct, they merge into a coherent narrative. Well-balanced, realistic suspense."--Kirkus Reviews
