Atherton consists of 3 worlds - it's actually 3 different levels of land all on one planet. The top level controls all the water to the other two levels and demands that the 2nd level produce food for the top level, delivered by an elaborate rope and pulley system as there is no other way to scale the cliffs to the top. No one knows what is on the 3rd or bottom level as it is also impossible to get to. Edgar lives on the 2nd level and he is an excellent climber. He finds a book hidden in the cliffs and decides to climb the cliffs no matter what in order to find someone to read the book for him.

Definitely meant for a younger audience. Writing is third person omniscient and is direct in telling the reader what the character is thinking or feeling. Characters have simple motivations. The author would occasionally address the reader and acknowledge they were telling a story, this made me feel like I was reading a bad Snicket copy cat.

I did like the concept of the story, but not the execution. Ending feels like Carman took his story and cut it directly down the middle, which is probably what happened.

Won't be reading the 2nd book.

The first book in the Atherton series. Edgar is a young boy who loves to climb. One day he finds a hidden book in a cave. Once he finds someone who can read it to him, he discovers it contains terrible secrets about the world he lives in. As the Highlands began to sink, and the world as he knows it begins to collapse Edgar may hold the secret to saving his world.

Have I just out-and-out read too many fantasy books to find any of them fresh and new? Edgar lives in Atherton, a planet divided into three distinct parts: The Highlands, Tabletop, and The Flatlands. Suddenly, the three parts begin to move together, which shakes both the world and all the societies on the world.

I kept reading, but I wasn’t strongly taken with the book. Another so-so Bluebonnet.

Edgar, the book's protagonist, lives on Atherton. It's a man-made world that's about 10-15 years old. Atherton is divided into three sections: Flatlands (lower-class), Tabletop (middle-class), and the Highlands (higher-class).

Now, Atherton is starting to sink, which means Edgar and everyone else living on it is in huge trouble. It's really got me thinking, because I think a world like Atherton could actually exist in the future. Patrick Carman has a very unique writing style; he's excellent at describing settings! What surprised me about this book was how realistic it felt — I really did feel as if I was part of Atherton, following the lives of everyone on Atheron as the truth about their home is revealed. The characters were divergent, the plot intriguing, the concept original, the pace perfect ... It was great, and I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

Picked this one up from the new children's books at the library. Definitely an interesting scenario, and one that we learn about gradually as the story progresses. Sort of a social experiment, really. Interested to see what happens in the next book.

Actual rating is probably a 3.5. I read these as a kid and then never read them again until I was suddenly seized by curiosity. The writing is okay quality, but there is some truly bonkers worldbuilding that I enjoy, and I remember highly enjoying them even more as a kid. I’ll probably have to continue the trilogy because I remember liking the third one best.