This book was actually far better than I expected - I thought it would come off to me like the Ken Catran books, which enjoyed when I was younger but upon when reading now the flaws all come into sharp focus.

But the story drew me in and addressed some pretty deep themes while keeping a kid-appropriate tone. I actually stayed up late one night engrossed in the story of the two kids' escape from the city, Amy's discovery that the world she has always lived on has been built on lies, and their struggle to survive in the harsh world outside. ( )

This Time of Darkness by H.M. Hoover

This is a book which was published in 1980 and aimed mainly at older children and young adults, at a time when Young Adult literature as a separate genre was relatively new.

Eleven-year-old Amy lives in a decaying enclosed city, the residents of which have never seen the light of day. Although we are never told when the story is set relative to our day, it will probably be assumed by the reader that events take place in the far future. Neglected by her mother and under surveillance by the authorities and their 'watchers' who suspect that she can read and therefore probably has 'abnormal' thinking patterns, Amy reluctantly finds herself drawn to Axel, a boy whose behavior is considered aberrant and who claims to have come into the city from outside.

Although both know it is forbidden, Amy and Axel secretly plan to escape from their filthy and cramped environment, and hope that by following the spiral ramp which leads ever upward to find the relative paradise of the mythical Eightieth Level, and perhaps even a way out of the city.

The author tells a suspenseful, fast-paced and compelling futuristic survival story which obliquely comments on corrupt rulerships and entrenched social structures. Excellent descriptions, meticulous attention to detail, and a perfect sense of timing make this a believable and highly readable story which, while powerfully dark in places, nevertheless ends on a positive note. Overall, is it a marvelous dystopian novel which people of all ages should be able to enjoy thoroughly.

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This book launched my love of all things dystopian. I feel like I owe a lot of my geekery to Helen Mary Hoover. I even took the time to track this one down with my grade school librarian years later so I could own it.
The plot is a familiar one, about some kids who live in a regimented, caste-based society. I remember that what really got me was that they weren't allowed to read books. It was like a nightmare to me.
Thanks, Ms. Hoover, you totally helped me on my path to book nerddom. ( )

Perhaps had I read it as a child it would have been more vivid for me. As it was, I found it an episodic escape from dystopia. I found it lacking compelling characters, interesting world-building, or a fundamental plot-logic payoff. I understand many people have fond feelings for this book, but compared to something like "The White Mountains" it seems very thin.

I bought this book from a book sale at our local library as I was a fan of H M Hoover's works. Since then, it has been read and re-read. The themes in this book, like so many of her's, appeal to old and young alike. The escape of Axel and Amy to a life beyond the city is fast paced and cannot be put down. As each revelation unfolds, I found myself hooked. It is a shame that such a wonderful, beautiful book is no longer in print. I highly recommend this story ( )