READ IT! Way Down Dark by James Smythe

Way Down Dark Australia Trilogy Book One
Written by James Smythe
Dystopian, Science Fiction
Published June 30th 2015
400 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
There's one truth on Australia. You fight or you die. Usually both. Imagine a nightmare from which there is no escape. This is a hell where no one can hide. This is a ship of death, of murderers and cults and gangs. This is Australia.

Seventeen year old Chan's ancestors left a dying Earth hundreds of years ago, in search of a new home. They never found one. The only life that Chan's ever known is one of violence, of fighting. Of trying to survive.

But there might be a way to escape. In order to find it, Chan must head way down into the darkness, a place of buried secrets, long forgotten lies, and the abandoned bodies of the dead. Fiercely independent and self sufficient, Chan keeps her head down and lives quietly, careful not to draw attention to herself amidst the violence and disorder. Until the day she makes an extraordinary discovery, a way to return the Australia to Earth. But doing so would bring her to the attention of the fanatics and the murderers who control life aboard the ship, putting her and everyone she loves in terrible danger.

And a safe return to Earth is by no means certain.

Kelly's Thoughts


ABSOLUTELY. PHENOMENAL.

Way Down Dark is the young adult dystopian of the year. Gritty storyline and a strong willed, determined, kick ass heroine that will have you on the edge of your seat. It's dirty, it's gritty and exactly what the dystopian genre needs. A tough, balls to the wall storyline that holds the reader hostage. And you'll love every. Freaking. Moment. It's action from cover to cover, leaving little time for you to catch your breath.

Australia is stationed in space, hovering above the earth in search of a new home. Previous generations have passed down the stories of the Earth being over populated, dying and a new home was needed to save mankind. It's inhabitants scrambled to build ships to send skyward, but one was never found. Chan was born upon Australia, a ship of murderers, hardened criminals and misfits of society. The next generation on board are split into groups, the Pale Women who live by their Testaments, the Bell's who are experimental genetically modified soldiers, dangerous as they are dim witted. Shopkeepers who recycle clothing and shoes from the dead and the Lows. Deadly gangs that roam the ship looking for their next victim. But now they've decided to expand. Families are being terrorised, children stolen, parents gutted like animals and thrown into the depths of the ship and Chan may only be one seventeen year old girl, but she's determined to fight back.

Chan is absolutely fierce. I adored her! She knows when to keep her head down and when to fight back. The families who live within the berths, she considers her people and when the Low's begin to sweep through with their own form of caste cleansing, Chan takes it upon herself to take them on. The Low's aren't your average young adult villains, they're brutal, terrifying and have no qualms about slashing you to ribbons just because they can. Their leader Rex is nothing short of a ferocious, homicidal and now out for blood.

It's fight or flight on board Australia, but eventually they will find you. There's no where to hide, even for Jonah. Jonah with his shock of red hair lives under the instruction the Pale Women, until he finds his world ripped apart by Rex. Together he and Chan form a tentative bond, wanting to rescue others from the clutches of the Low's and themselves. But Australia isn't what it seems. Years of fables told throughout the generations could never have prepared them for what those on board are about to discover. It's explosive.

The Verdict

James Smythe is an incredible author that has crafted an engaging, enthralling and brutal dystopian young adult novel that will leave you breathless. It's intelligent, dark and incredibly gritty. I loved it for it's brutality, it's honesty and it's determination to fight for the underdog. The young adult dystopian of the year.

40 comments

  1. Man, Kells. If I wasn't excited before I sure as hell am now. I need a nice, dark and sinister dystopian - haven't had one that's amazed me for quite awhile. Can't wait to get my hands on this one! Lovely review, I can tell how much you enjoyed it!

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    1. I loved it. I can't even put into words how incredible this book is, dark, gritty and so incredibly kick ass. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. All right, all right, all right. You got me.
    I'll read this one when it comes out.

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    1. You had better Daniel. Or no more pageant watching for you.

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  3. Wow a perfect five stars.. You must have really loved it to give it a high rating - I don't think I ever read and adult dystopians, I'm surprised they even exist although, I have heard of them. The honesty and brutality of the book sounds refreshing, I kind of like reading about it. It makes the book much more authentic and raw, wonderful review Kelly <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. I loved it madly! Oh no, this is young adult still, but much darker than the typical dystopian which I think is exactly what the genre needs. I can't wait for you to meet Chan, she's so incredibly tough but likable. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it Benish.

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  4. Wow, glad you liked this one. Well, glad you LOVED this one. haha It sounds quite intriguing - I don't really read a lot of dystopia, but it's nice to hear when one is worth checking out.

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    1. Even non dystopian readers will absolutely love this one Lauren. It's immaculately written, like knock your socks off. Add it and grab a copy, you definitely won't be disappointed.

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  5. I've been burned out with dystopian reads for the last couple of years, but I'm always on the look out for that "next great read". Sounds like this book could be a good candidate! Space opera is all the rage nowadays as well, so perfect timing!

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    1. This definitely isn't the typical young adult dystopian Joy, it's brutal and really needs a genre all of it's own. It's incredible and I can't praise it enough! It's already out now, so hope you grab a copy Joy, it's phenomenal!

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  6. OKAY YOU'VE CONVINCED ME. Also Australia in space? YEP YEP YEP I'M SOLD.

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    1. Australia THE SHIP in space, not the floating country. But YES! Go my little chicken and buy a copy. You'll love it Kara. LOVE. IT.

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  7. I'M READING THIS. Your review managed to do that much XD ALSO, THAT COVER?!? It's beautiful. I can't wait! Lovely review <3

    P.S I know I'm probably super late to the bandwagon, but I just wanted to say that your new blog look is gorgeous :)

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    1. Thanks Nirvana, your lovely comment is much appreciated poppet.

      YES! Read this! It'll blow you away. Remember how excited you were when you first picked up The Hunger Games. I had that feeling by page twenty and it only got better and better from there. Chan is incredible!

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  8. never heard of this but i instantly want to read it.

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    1. Yes, you do. It's out now too, so no more waiting either. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  9. What is this amazing sounding book and how have I never heard of this before? It's set on a space version of Australia! I definitely need this.
    I love how great the characters all sound, Kelly and I sure do love a good brutal dystopia from time to time. I need to get a copy of this one!
    Wonderful review!

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    1. Nick, it's absolutely incredible. Brutal, tough and really gritty. I'm so excited for readers to start this series, I can't even describe home much I loved it.

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  10. So....you want me to read it, I'm guessing :) I'm not the biggest dystopian fan, but this is high praise from you, so I might just give it a go!

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    1. YES! I demand that everyone needs to read this book. EVERYONE! You need this book, I'm going to nag everyone senseless until I see they have a copy and are loving it too. LOVE. IT.

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  11. Oh man I need this. Brutal dystopians are amazing.

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    1. Ohh, you desperately need this. I'm pushing this book on everyone. I can't remember the last time I loved a book this hard, probably The Hunger Games actually, and for me, Way Down Dark blew it out of the water.

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  12. Kelly....you make it impossible to say no to this one. Seriously...it sounds like a good read and even though I'm in a tough place with dystopia reads lately I'm still intrigued by this one enough to want to get it a shot. Lovely review!

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    1. I insist that no one say no Lily, YES is the word you're looking for. YES, I'll buy it. YES, this sounds incredible and YES, Kelly will nag us until we do. This isn't your regular dystopian. It's touch, brutal and doesn't rely on romance. Actually, there's basically no romance at all. Just another YES to tick off.

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  13. It's either make or break for me when it comes to dystopians right now, but if you say it's phenomenal...then I will give this a go! You had me at Leo. Really.

    ~ Dre @ Sporadic Reads

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    1. It is. It really is. I'd go as far as to say it's the best dystopian I've ever had the pleasure of reading, and I read a lot. A whole lot.

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  14. Wow Kelly, I hadn't heard of this one but I gotta say the premise sounds intriguing! Especially with Australia being in space and the genetically modified soldiers and brutal world. Fantastic review, love!

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    1. It's incredible Jeann. It'll not only knock your socks off, but blow them clean off your feet. Chan is the best heroine I've come across, she's tough, but still has this down to earth likability and risks her own life to fight for the underdog. By page twenty, I'd fallen in love with her character. I can't wait for you to meet her.

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  15. I'm not a science fiction or dystopia fan but I like the idea of a strong female lead. And the idea of the country hovering in space. (I mean, we're already pretty isolated, but still....)

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    1. Not a country as such, but the ship is called Australia... And the rest you'll have to read to find out. But Chan is one, if not THE strongest young adult heroine I've had the pleasure of reading. She's determined to stick up for those who cannot fight for themselves. You'll absolutely adore her!

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  16. Is it weird that I'm imagining our country just happily floating around in space? :P Your take on this reminds me of Snowpiercer, which might seem a little weird (have you seen it? It's one bizarre, wonderful, totally bonkers movie that I'm still not entirely sure I understand), it probably is nothing like it, but that's the first thing that came to mind. Now I'm curious, will have to add it to the TBR :)

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. I imagined the same, until I cracked it open and started reading. I was not prepared for the awesomeness that is Way Down Dark. Actually, nothing could prepare you for how incredible it is. I haven't seen Snowpiercer, but going to jot it down and grab a copy. If it's ANYTHING like this, I'll absolutely love it.

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  17. Ahhhh Kelly! This sounds so amazing. I feel like I'm gonna learn a lot about Aussies too while reading it. I hope we have a Philippines trilogy too :( hahaha. Great review as usual <3

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    1. Without giving anything away, I think this will really surprise you Paula as it isn't what you think. I thought the same, but my goodness it'll knock your socks off and shock you. I can't WAIT to see what you think of it!

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  18. Oh you really sell this book well, I love scifi and strong female leads and this book looks fantastic! Will certainly be grabbing it when I get a chance,

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    1. This book is absolutely AMAZING Aentee, I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  19. Alright Kelly - count me CONVINCED. I am in need of an amazing sci-fi novel to totally captivate me and keep me flipping the pages and I think this could be just right.

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    1. This will have you on the edge of your seat Eugenia, it's just THAT incredible. Definitely grab a copy, you'll absolutely love it!

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  20. You know, I think this might scare the pants off of me, Kelly- it sounds like high stakes, for sure, and probably a bit of violence. I shy away from that, a lot of the time- but this also sounds super unique, interesting and fresh, and I am wanting to fall in love with dystopia again. AND WHAT A REVIEW. All caps are totally needed because this is stellar, and I'm thrilled by how much you loved this! I'll keep an eye on it, for sure. xx

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  21. I never heard of this, wow! It sounds like an amazing read. Now to find it! Great review :)

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