This was one of those stories where the backstory was much more interesting than the current story. I wanted to know more about how Atherton came to be, and less about its current state of affairs. Also, I know this isn't "wrong," but it's a pet peeve of mine when stories jump into a bunch of character's different perspectives. This book jumped between characters so much that I felt about as dizzy as Atherton's citizens, who were dealing with increasingly frequent "earthquakes." The head-hopping decreased tension because the author was always jumping to the perspective of someone who knew more, so you didn't get to discover things through the main characters' journeys. And about half the viewpoint characters were adults, which also rubs me the wrong way in a book written for kids. On the other hand, there were places where information was withheld or delayed in a way that felt totally unnatural, just for the sake of dragging out the tension.

Still, the world-building here is fascinating, and the audio version is especially well-done, with strategically placed echoes, sound effects, and music. Although I didn't love it as a book, I think it would make an awesome movie, where head-hopping wouldn't be an issue. I'll read the second book because I have it on hand, and because this one ends without much resolution. I'll just have to be prepared to get a little dizzy going in.