Freefall (Tunnels Book 3) Paperback – January 1, 2011

I've been a fan of this book series since the first day it came out. The first tunnels book is probably the most mysterious and exiting in the series. It begins with Will (the main character) and his friend Chester digging holes. One day they stumble upon a mysterious brick wall. Later into the book they manage to break through the wall and they find a city. When I first read about an underground town my mind was just saying  The City of Ember (Books of Ember)  which is also a good book. Anyway, Will finds that he was actually born in the Colony (the name of the city). He finds a family that he didn't know before and becomes in love with the underground city.I can't remember when the first book stops, (haven't read it in a couple of years) but eventually Will and Chester are abducted by the Colony's police force known as the Styx. Will and Chester are held in different cells. Will escapes and comes back for Chester. Together they take a ride on a train known as the miners train deeper into the earth as stowaways. When they get off the train they discover that they are in a place known as the Deeps. There is little food or water here and there is still Styx patrolling around. They are aided by 2 renegades by the names of Drake and Elliot.The book Deeper is a little less 'action-y' but is still a good book.Drake and Elliot help Will and Chester survive. They run from the Styx and near the end of Deeper Elliot, Chester, and Will get seperated from Drake. They are cornered near the Pore and are forced to jump in. The Pore is supposed to be an endless hole. But if you had Styx shooting at you with all they've got, I would've jumped too.Well, I really don't want to spoil the book for you so I guess I'll stop there.dd

As I read this third book in the Tunnels series I pictured in my mind just what the underworld must look like and was reminded of the two film versions of Journey to the Center of the Earth. This series is certainly film-worthy. In this volume the majority of the violence and gore comes from encounters with the authors' versions of giant spider-like creatures and arachnoid "angels." In their cases it is 'eat or be eaten.' The ubiquitous Styx, the vicious and truly evil bad guys of the series, constantly amazed me by showing up anywhere and everywhere. It was exasperating! As soon as I thought the characters were safe for a while and could have a well-deserved rest, the creepy Styx would show up along with the most creepy and eeee-vil twin girls on earth!Our heroes are split into two groups in this book as Will and Dr. Burrows make their way back to the surface where Dr. Burrows becomes the most annoying parent ever. Will is reunited with his adoptive mother who has changed into a much nicer and capable person. She learns that the Styx have infiltrated all levels of authority on the surface.The story leads us ever deeper under the earth into even more dangerous and fantastic places. The authors' science may be questionable at times but their imaginations run wildly enough to give us all some terrific thrills.

I generally enjoyed this entry into the Tunnels series, but the seams are showing a bit, and I do wonder how much more stringing out can be done.Let's start with the good. As irritating as it can be sometimes, the authors generally continue to avoid the easy way out for their characters. These are all of them flawed people, sometimes deeply so, and it shows in their interactions. There's no "kiss and make up" here where old issues are simply forgotten and swept under the rug. The flaws from before are still irritants, and things that seemed charming before suddenly become problems when set into a new context. I question at least one character's obtuseness, but he had his reasons, at least. Readers used to regular YA stuff might find this frustrating, but it seemed to me realistic. Also, other standard YA and adventure story tropes tend to be avoided or subverted. Which means you can't be too sure what will come next.So on to what I did not like. In each book, the tale grows wider and wider, and more elements are added. I personally felt there was more than enough to deal with, given the events of the first two, but Freefall tosses in yet more stuff (one bit right at the end could be utterly ridiculous -- I hope it's deliberately misleading), and I wonder just how they intend to bring it all together, or if they will or can. Another problem is that the plot really doesn't really advance. The characters (some of them) develop some more, but by the end, despite all the tromping around we have described to us, the story hasn't really gone all that far from where we started. Also, one extremely important plot point is simply impossible to believe, given everything else we know.I should note that the violence and gross-out factor has been toned down a lot in this installment, especially compared to Deeper. There is still violence, and people die, but things are less graphic (perhaps only in the US edition?). Also, this is not the final installment. The book ends on a cliff-hanger, and we are obviously due for at least another entry or two in the series.So as I said I still enjoyed this book, despite its flaws, but I am getting concerned.

it is a great book but I DEFINITELY do not recommend it for kids under 11 years old (it gets a little / really scary).

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and anxiously awaited the release of book 3. I even ordered it from the UK because it wasn't released yet in the US. Imagine my surprise when reading the language used by Will and Chester (and Drake, Dr. Burrows, and Mrs. Burrows) that wasn't in the first two books. Now mind, it's not pervasive, it's just offensive. They frequently used some form of "Jesus Christ" and I found it completely unnecessary.This is a terrific series and quite imaginative. None of the characters talked like this and I have no clue as to why the authors felt it necessary in Freefall. I have written them to ask them but don't expect a reply. This series would be a great one for teachers to refer to their students but the language in Freefall prevents that.

Volume 3 of the Tunnels Series. Our hero and his associates continue their journey inwards, also continuing their fight against the Styx and their heinous plot. Many of the previous threads are advanced and many things resolved, but the skillful authors find ways to hook our interest from beginning to end for the third time, and leave plenty unsatisfied by the end. I am eagerly waiting for the next instalment.

All these books are great for any age including adults we are over 70 really enjoyed them

Bought as a gift for Grandson [14], who had read previously but wanted to re- read the set. Presumably that indicates the stories are very good!

Good condition & very good price. Brilliant book series.

good value good condition no problems.