By Steven Layne This Side of Paradise (1st First Edition) [Paperback]

Paradise #1

by Steven L. Layne

When his father relocates the family to Paradise to work for the mysterious Eden Corporation, Jack Barrett uncovers a sinister plot that threatens everyone he loves.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery, Dystopia, Action, Read For School, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Award-winning author and educator Steven L. Layne is the director of the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where he is also a professor of literacy education. He is a respected literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker, and featured author at conferences and literary events worldwide. He lives with his wife and children in Saint Charles, Illinois.

Reviews

[Elle (ellexamines on TT & Substack) · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh my god remember THIS hot mess

This book is literally written like a robot wrote it. I've never read something so terribly written. It feels like a ten-year-old trying to imitate adult writing wrote this. know a girl who was writing better stuff than this at ten. I'm pretty sure I wrote something better than this at age ten.

Every single character is a trope. The grandmother can kick your ass. The brother is a complete fuckboy. The dad is a creep. The mom is a robot. I mean that literally, she's replaced by a robot halfway through. Every plot twist is completely predictable, to the point where I don't think the author was trying to surprise anyone.

This book is embarrassing. Seriously. I am fucking embarrassed that this got published. And moreover. I'm confused as to how this wasn't a parody? You could've sold this to me as a parody and I would've fucking loved it. But in this form it's hysterical in a bad way.

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[Purebean · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off, let me start by saying that I don't intend to be mean. I just need to give an honest opinion here. This book is absolutely horrible. It's honestly a boring read. As one would say, great idea, poor execution. There are spoilers in here, but they probably won't ruin anything because a., this book sucks enough already and b., everything is so obvious. Every single plot twist was predictable. The foreshadowing sounds like a two-year-old trying to keep a secret. Mom being a robot was obvious as soon as she returned. For example, they say that she spoke in a monotone voice, her words were hollow, and she didn't let go of the plate. These, to me, are blatant giveaways of the fact that she is a robot. To add to that, if you listened to the CDs of the book, he reads Mom's lines in a robotic voice. CAN YOU GET MORE OBVIOUS THAN THAT? I also strongly dislike the way it's written. It seems like a child wrote a novel and overused the thesaurus. I can't seem to pinpoint what exactly is wrong with it, but that is just a personal opinion. I'm also tired of the religious references. Mr. EDEN, ADAM, GARDEN SCHOOL, PARADISE. To me, raised in Christianity, this was an obvious reference to The Garden of Eden. Though, to others, it may not be as obvious, and some people may actually dislike it (like me). It's not something everyone would get. For example, someone raised an atheist with no knowledge of the Bible won't get these references. For me, it just got tiring. The process went like this. This side of Paradise. Paradise. EDEN. Ha, funny; I get it. Adam. Oh, another reference. Garden school. This is honestly getting old now. I'm not even going to pay any mind to these anymore. To reiterate, this was a boring read. I honestly wouldn't waste your time with it.


EDIT: I realized that Jori is a biblical reference as well... It's driving me insane.

[Sarah House · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was an incredible letdown. It was an interesting idea, but I really wish the story was in somebody else's hands.

The story is told in the fisrt person by seventeen- year- old Jack. I know of no human being who talks the way he does, and certainly no high shcool juniors who sound like that. The people don't sound like real people when they talk, either. I really was very interested to find out what happened, but the way the book was written bugged me so much that I could never really enjoy the story. The author wasn't very good at expressing emotion, either. That parts that were supposed to be touching were phony and awkward. And this is from the person who cries every time she reads a book.
As for the general idea of the story, it was original, but it wasn't very believable because the whole thing was set in the present day.

I will give this book points for the characters, who had very distinct personalities, but they're still not enough to bring my rating above one star.

[Coleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very entertaining with its suspenseful twists and turns, some were more obvious than others.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: 1.5

As a person not very adoring of debate authors that are self-published, I was hesitant. The thing is, self-published authors often don't edit their books or work too much upon it.

Needless to say, this book needed a lot of work. I loved the plot, really. A crazy dad with a multi-personality disorder? Whoo! Also, a kick-ass grandma? That's just BEGGING to be read. So, I started getting into the book. But there was still something missing.



Oh yeah... Characters with PERSONALITIES. Is that too much to ask, really? Even the gram got so fake it made me want to become friends with the nearest trash can. The main character, 17-year-old Jack, didn't act his age. Never ever EVER write a book for teens and then screw up the characters that are their age. That's like setting a death wish. I don't know... I couldn't connect with Jack. He didn't think or act like a teen and that's just... ARGH!!

Even the Grandma character got a bit... Exasperating, to say the least. The personalities were bland and more than a bit boring.

Oh wait.... You can't have a bad book without a bad romance! Jack and Jory by themselves were annoying, but then Jory's sister and Troy??? How in the hell-o is it appropriate for two brothers to date two sisters. Ugh. Haha I just didn't get that.

It did have a good thing though. It was fast-paced, and I guess that's why I'm giving it an extra .5.

[Pinder Buckley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a very good plot, but not a decent way of presenting it. I often got bored even when important events were happening and I dislike the writing style. The plot was literally the only thing causing me to finish the book. If it were written better, it would probably have four stars from me.

[Anna Wells · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd rather go to Paradise and be replaced by an android than read this book.

I don't mean to throw any shade to all those 'Eden fans,' but I have a strong urge to throw this book down a well. Hey! It'll make a yummy snack for the rats living down there.
This book was a good idea, but horrible execution. Did a ten year old pick up a thesaurus and not know how to use it? I will bet you anything that no seventeen year old talks with as exquisite dialogue as Jack does. If I were him, I would ditch the crap and jump over that electrical wire bisch. My teacher obviously doesn't know about the kinds of books that actually appeal to middle schoolers. Just because your friend who lives 30 minutes away wrote this trash, doesn't mean you have to force us to read it. Someone fell asleep during class today. I don't blame them.

[Mysh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not one to gravitate toward thrillers so I can't remember the circumstances that made me read this in elementary school, in any case the dystopia utopia premise had a hold me through all these years, from what I vaguely could remember. Enough so to even ask for the book for Christmas one year, just to have my sister call from Barnes and Noble to check "is it by F. Scott Fitzgerald?" (No.)

Luckily I had to look no more or buy secondhand online. Archive.org had a pdf I read quickly just to go 'huh. So that's how it went.' Like trees that appear bigger when you're smaller, an adventure looks bigger when you're smaller too. I can only thank it for the entertainment that it once was and compliment it for being a good ghost in the head, but as an adult, it's just obviously not meant for me anymore. :)

[Brittany Hull · Rating 2 out of 5]

I met this author when I was in elementary school and thought this book was great. I just reread it and it is amazing how time gives new perspective. It’s an interesting storyline idea but the writing is choppy and the characters are under developed let alone unrealistic in their actions and thoughts.

[Monica Gargac · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit twisty but the overblown dialogue was a bit much. I'll still read the sequel but just going into it knowing what to expect a bit more. It reminds me of the first Twilight book--you were warned about how badly it was written, and the writing was so horrible. So if you knew that going in then it was possible to enjoy it for just a silly premise. This has the same feeling.

[Hope Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling is the best way to describe this. It gives off vibes similar to The Giver which a all too neat Stefford wives utopia. Only to discover it’s the dad with a split personality and he’s willing to kill to get his way. Though there are some plot holes. I feel like it would’ve made a good early aughts tv show adaptation.

[kendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst book ive ever read
more predictable than a hallmark movie and it was so stupid
read in 8th grade english
book made me want to die it genuinely is so awful i still have it and when i look at it a piece of me dies

[Mea Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

i remember reading this in 6th grade. my teacher told us that it wasn't a book we wouldve read if given a choice to. a lot of us agreed. I'm never got around to reading the 2nd book. and i doubt it ever will. but this book was amazing.

[DJ Rudd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my class of 7th graders. We thought the store was mediocre and the dialogue was terrible. We were not fans.

[Kaylie Strickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

even though I have not finished this book it was still a really good book. I really like it.

[Gabriel Weaver · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be popular for fans of Haddix. There were elements that reminded me of The Picture of Dorian Gray and the play Marjorie Prime.

[Brian Jarsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, very disturbing tale.

[John Albaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it makes references to the bible Adam and eve in the bible.

[Trisha McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has always been one of my favorite books of all time. Even after years of not reading it, it still holds up. Steven Layne is a genius.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off okay but just kinda fell into chaos

[Cory Enders · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book back in sixth grade and that’s what it felt like when I read it again this time. Cool concept and a good plot but just seemed a little easy and very predictable

[Cecilia Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVOURED THIS BOOK OMG SO GOODDDDDD.

[Dominic M · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT

[Rita Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I gave this book a 3/5, not for the book itself, but for its plot. I’m really disappointed with the ending. I mean, Chip Barrett has a split personality disorder, is literally insane, and tries to murder his entire family because they aren’t what he considers “perfect.” You’d think that this would be an intense, fast paced book that’s impossible to put down, but it’s really not.
The two deaths in this book (besides Chip) are minor characters, and their deaths felt like they were more to make the ending neater than anything else. Now, I’m the last person to wish for the deaths of of people I come to know and love (even though they’re just fictional), but two deaths while dealing with a psychotic murder just isn’t realistic.
I never thought I’d ever see myself write this, but this book needs more intensity, betrayal, and death. I mean, I’m fairly certain that the Jack walked away from the final confrontation with just a scratch on his chest and grief about his mother.
This Side of Paradise could have been SO SO SO GOOD, but I think it was written for too young an audience. Or maybe it was meant for teens, but just didn’t reach that level. Whatever the reason, this book had so much potential, but it fell very short of my expectations.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack's father has always been a perfectionist, but lately, his need to control every aspect of the family's life has stepped up a notch. Mr. Barrett, Jack's dad, has been offered a wonderful opportunity with the company he works for, the Eden Corporation. Eden owns a gated village in Paradise, a nearby town, where only the most successful and devoted employees are invited to live. The village is all inclusive and there is no need to ever leave. The village even has a school for the children of the employees.




Mr. Barrett's family isn't handling the news of the move very well. His wife has been drinking more and more since Mr. Barrett's controlling nature has intensified. Troy, the youngest child, has used his rebellious attitude to spark conflict within the household. Gram, Mr. Barrett's mother and the boys' biggest protector, doesn't mince words when it comes to how crazy she thinks moving the whole family to a strange community is, and Jack, the oldest son, tries to keep the peace by attempting to please his father and trying to keep Troy under control.




Eventually, the day comes and the family packs up and moves to Paradise. Jack's mother has gone ahead in order to get the house ready so it is just Mr. Barrett, Jack, Troy, and Gram following the moving van. Once they reach the entry gate, Jack sees a site that leaves him speechless. Jori is a beautiful girl that works at the entry gate of Paradise and a girl that he definitely wants to get to know better, but for some reason, Mr. Barrett doesn't want him to have anything to do with her. His exact words are, "She doesn't belong in Paradise." This statement is just one of the things Jack, Troy, and Gram consider strange when they get settled in their new community. Everyone seems too happy, their mother hasn't been seen since they've arrived, and Mr. Eden, the owner of the Eden Corporation, has been sneaking into the Barrett's house at night and taking Troy somewhere after knocking him out so he won't wake up. The boys, with a lot of help from Gram and Jori, attempt to get to the bottom of all the mysteries and find a way out of Paradise.




THIS SIDE OF PARADISE is a science fiction thriller reminiscent of The Stepford Wives. It was awarded the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction novel for young adults in the United States. This is Steven Layne's first novel and is far from perfect, but at the same time, has many characteristics that will appeal to young readers.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Karin Perry for TeensReadToo.com

Jack's father has always been a perfectionist, but lately, his need to control every aspect of the family's life has stepped up a notch. Mr. Barrett, Jack's dad, has been offered a wonderful opportunity with the company he works for, the Eden Corporation. Eden owns a gated village in Paradise, a nearby town, where only the most successful and devoted employees are invited to live. The village is all-inclusive and there is no need to ever leave. The village even has a school for the children of the employees.

Mr. Barrett's family isn't handling the news of the move very well. His wife has been drinking more and more since Mr. Barrett's controlling nature has intensified. Troy, the youngest child, has used his rebellious attitude to spark conflict within the household. Gram, Mr. Barrett's mother and the boys' biggest protector, doesn't mince words when it comes to how crazy she thinks moving the whole family to a strange community is, and Jack, the oldest son, tries to keep the peace by attempting to please his father and trying to keep Troy under control.

Eventually, the day comes and the family packs up and moves to Paradise. Jack's mother has gone ahead in order to get the house ready so it is just Mr. Barrett, Jack, Troy, and Gram following the moving van. Once they reach the entry gate, Jack sees a site that leaves him speechless. Jori is a beautiful girl that works at the entry gate of Paradise and a girl that he definitely wants to get to know better, but for some reason, Mr. Barrett doesn't want him to have anything to do with her. His exact words are, "She doesn't belong in Paradise." This statement is just one of the things Jack, Troy, and Gram consider strange when they get settled in their new community.

Everyone seems too happy, their mother hasn't been seen since they've arrived, and Mr. Eden, the owner of the Eden Corporation, has been sneaking into the Barrett's house at night and taking Troy somewhere after knocking him out so he won't wake up. The boys, with a lot of help from Gram and Jori, attempt to get to the bottom of all the mysteries and find a way out of Paradise.

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE is a science fiction thriller reminiscent of THE STEPFORD WIVES. It was awarded the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction novel for young adults in the United States. This is Steven Layne's first novel and is far from perfect, but at the same time, has many characteristics that will appeal to young readers.

[Christina Knowles · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading Mergers by Layne, I was not looking forward to reading this book; however, it is a much better read. It loses points for originality in that it is a Stepford Wives rip off. But it gains points because I love The Stepford Wives and think it is a great idea to write it for children. Of course, it loses the sexist theme in this version because the town of Paradise is full of robots of all genders, and the primary target is "Mr. Eden's" son, Troy.

Still this could have been written so much better. Layne's character development is lacking, especially (and oddly) when it comes to his first person narrator and main character, Jack. Layne lets us get into Troy's head much more than Jack just through Jack's descriptions of him. The grandmother is likable but over-the-top and not believable. Also, what's up with her "make-up bag?" Does Layne seriously call a rolling suitcase which can magically hold anything you may need in any situation, a make-up bag?

I actually enjoyed the first half to three quarters of the book, despite all this, but the climax and descending action deteriorate into nonsense. Layne does not even attempt to explain the science on which it is loosely based or his crazy resolution, for that matter. He seems to rush through the end in an unsuccessful attempt at intensifying the suspense. The lack of realistic emotions over the mother's death and the part where Troy's eyes pop open as soon as the girl speaks to him just seemed stupid and superficial. I felt like Layne was trying to meet an impossible deadline and just needed to finish the book.

So, even giving it a break for being a young adult novel (and a lower reading level to boot), I think it was a little less than impressive. As a teacher I've read a lot of young adult fiction, and there are many who don't seem like they were actually written by eighth graders. Even as a teacher, I would hesitate to give it to a student because Layne feels he has to overtly state his theme and explain it, which I think he didn't even get right. This is not a Dystopian novel. It's a novel about being a control freak perfectionist and about how people's flaws make them valuable as individuals. I guess the bottom line is that this book had potential and some entertainment value, but falls very short of its intentions.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story; writing was ok; pretty violent for a kid's book

[Chase wullenweber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Barrett's father has a fixated drive for perfection. He works for a mysterious Eden Corporation, and his is forcibly relocated to a villlage called Paradise, a town that is literally owned by Eden. In tgis town,Jack unwittingly uncovers a secret plot that threatens the lives of everyone he loves. As Jack falls further into the secrets of this remote village, he discovers the lengths his father and fellow villagers are willing to do to achieve perfection. Soon, Jack is confronted with a moral, and ethical decision. Should he expose the terrible secret in this Utopian society and risk loseing his father, or does he expose the secret and reveal to the world the depths and depravity of this disasterous world? Layne raises ethical questions about the drive for perfection and the pacing of technological advances being made by our society. Withing the depths of this novel many questions left unanswered cause readers like myself to question the very society we are apart of today. Is there some small or even a unique possibility that our very own government is run from behind the scenes, and that our elected officials are noting more then a symbol. These were questions that raced my mind as I read this novel.Overall I enjoyed this novel and have made it one of my favorites,and to conclude I would not underestimate this novel for one bitt because "reason is resolved when questions left unanswered are finally understood" Steven Layne

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The summary of this book sounded great, and I was excited to read it. I was expecting something like Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz, where students are cloned to be perfect. This story, however, was just too crazy. It had great potential, but as it went, it got more and more stupid. I only finished for the sake of it; I don't like to not finish a book and give it a chance, but this was terrible.

It was also slow and boring, and the characters weren't that great. The main character didn't seem to act his age, and even the writing in general felt like it was written for a younger audience than the plot suggested, and I found it annoying. For one thing, the use of exclamation points was ridiculous, especially considering they were used during narration, not in dialogue. Overall, it felt like as he was writing, he was simply checking things off his list to write about, without really developing the story or characters...like he was just going through the motions, but not really getting anywhere. There's no depth at all.

Jack and Jory's relationship is laughable. You don't basically fall in love after one meeting and only saying a couple of sentences to each other. It was a bit over the top.

I didn't like this book, and I can't see there being any more in this series. That's just crazy. I will not be reading them.