Flight of the Far Walkers

Jack Fennell
CreateSpace (2010)
ISBN 9781450541213
Reviewed by Tracey Rock for Reader Views (05/10)

Far below the earth and underneath the ground in the deepest of tunnels lies the town of Selsee.  This world is all anyone knew.  Generations were taught that there was nothing else outside of Selsee.  The elders, the Panopticon, ensured that there was order.  No one could ever leave as they believed there would be nowhere to go.  Although they have no sunlight, the Flickermen, as they were called, carried candles to light their way.  After a magma shift occurred, the Panopticon concluded that the people of Selsee would need to find more food, water and space to live.  An exploration team was formed to make an ascent to scout other areas.  There has only been one other attempt such as this and that mission failed.  This time would be different.  The team was handpicked for this mission by the Panopticon.  They were Selsee’s chosen ones made up mostly of children.    Those chosen for the ascent were some of best.  With the Flickermen lighting their way, the young women and men went outside of their confines to search through the tunnels and the caves for their people’s survival.  Throughout the journey they are faced with little rations, deceit, sickness and many harsh truths about the world they know and about themselves.

“Flight of the Far Walkers” is the first of a six book series by Jack Fennell.  The storyline reminds me a little bit of the book “City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau but it does have a uniqueness about it that should set it apart.  It took awhile to get used to some of the names of the characters and for awhile, there were so many characters that I couldn’t keep up with who was who and what their role was.  I did; however, like the book overall.  It is a bit dark and does drag in some places but once the story gets going there are quite a few surprises that will keep you turning the page to the end.  This was well written and I am looking forward finding out what will happen next.

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