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The Eden Project #1

Humanity's Last Chance

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There was only one rule: NEVER LEAVE THE DOME.

Inside the dome, 117 tube-born kids lived free of contamination. Trained since birth, they were almost ready to launch their ships and leave the dying planet behind. They were humanity's final hope against extinction. Their mission would be to explore the farthest reaches of the galaxy seeking out a habitable world free of the C-1 virus.

They tried not to think of conditions outside the dome where the virus had driven the last of the uninfected into the ground, into dark bunkers where they waited to be rooted out by cannibalistic hordes. Streets had become boneyards. Weeds grew inside long-forgotten government buildings.

Fifteen-year-old Genevieve Fifthborn was fully aware that the world was coming to an end, but on the island of The Eden Project she had much bigger problems, boy problems. Only her first love might risk far more than a broken heart, it just might bring about the end of our species.

238 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2012

94 people are currently reading
1122 people want to read

About the author

D.P. Fitzsimons

7 books32 followers

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5 stars
109 (24%)
4 stars
166 (37%)
3 stars
117 (26%)
2 stars
31 (7%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Thibault Busschots.
Author 5 books199 followers
July 9, 2023
Set in a post zombie apocalypse world, uninfected children have been gathered inside a dome. They have been trained since birth and when the space ships are ready, the kids will be sent into space so mankind can survive.


The story starts out very slow, showing us the world inside the dome. The daily routines and struggles, with a little added mystery of a DJ who's still going strong somewhere out there in the real world. There’s a forbidden teen love story as every kid is paired with their ideal mate. But love always finds a way to shake things up a bit. And that’s exactly what happens. Once the story gets going, it doesn’t stop. The ending is quite fast and brutal.
Profile Image for Jenny.
112 reviews
March 25, 2013
This one was a hard one to rate because the first half of the book and the second half were so different, I'm surprised they were written by the same author. I like YA books but I had to keep reminding myself that these characters are younger than the norm for this genre, the oldest being only 14. And the first half of this book seems to be written for this age group or younger. Which is quite a conundrum because while the writing style and personalities of the characters fall into the 10 year-old range, the subject matters are something for a true young adult. So the first have of the book was frustrating for me and I hated the parts with the main character, Gen, because she was so annoyingly whiny and trite.
However, the second half of this book was awesome. Well written, well thought out and exciting. And I was honestly disappointed to have it end and WILL read book 2 because I want to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Amanda.
49 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2014
I just finished reading this book in less than 24 hours and still didn't get enough! If you like sci-fi, dystopian type books then this should be a definite must-read on your list.
The Eden Project is an amazingly creative and exciting novel about what would happen if the whole of Earth were infected by a fatal and mutilating virus called C1 except for a very few group of youth, children and doctors that have spent their whole lives from birth in a dome to ensure the continuation of humanity. As the days count down to their expected launch into the unknown for the good of survival several things take place. Curiosity killed the cat doesn't even begin to describe the intensity of all the situations set to block these 117 children from surviving there one destiny...live and multiply. I refuse to give any more information due to spoilers, but I do suggest that if you haven't read it the you should get it and read it now. You won't regret it!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this riveting story and can't wait to read book 2, Night Without End. I will end by saying job well done DP Fitzsimons...well worth it 5stars and more.
Profile Image for Cat.
1,428 reviews12 followers
May 24, 2014
This was an interesting dystopian novel, in that the goal of this project was to create, train, and finally send untainted humans to explore space. Everything is done in terms of scientific progress - even the pairing of these young beings - the eldest children being 15.

The POV follows Genevieve, who quickly got on my nerves. She's insatiable curious about something in particular...something that causes a heap load of trouble for everyone. Seriously, she just can't leave well enough alone. And then things really hit the fan, but of course the book ends there.

Honestly, I was pretty drawn in to the story, regardless of how annoying I found Gen. Yes, she's immature and makes lots of poor decisions (IMHO), but that's what makes her human...and a teenager. Anyway, very curious to see what happens next, as the book ends with a gigantic cliff hanger.

Lots of action!
Profile Image for J.M. Pierce.
Author 11 books58 followers
July 11, 2013
Great book. It honestly started out a little rocky. Tons of characters were introduced at warp speed and it took a bit for me to get them all straight. After that, it read quickly and, once the end approached, I could not put it down. Awesome book.
Profile Image for Katrina.
10 reviews4 followers
June 7, 2013
Interesting and fast paced
Profile Image for Kevin George.
Author 75 books65 followers
July 12, 2013
More like 4.5, just couldn't bring myself to give it a 5
1,274 reviews4 followers
September 18, 2017
Humanity’s Last Chance, the first in The Eden Project, a four-book series, is very fast-paced. It gets a bit gory at the end, but not overly so. I could barely put the book down. It reads fast. It ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but in a place that makes perfect sense to end the first book of a series. There were a couple things that just didn’t make sense, such as how any of the doctors working on the island, supposedly far away from all other humans, contracted the virus. I will most likely read the other books, though, at least eventually. I recommend this book to sci-fi and end of the world fans.
233 reviews
April 7, 2018
As I started reading this novel, I was leaning towards a strong 4 star rating. Unfortunately the novel progressed, my opinion dropped almost to a 2 star review. The novel had a great set up, and an interesting concept. I think that about halfway through the novel, it felt like the characters seemed more isolated from each other, and did not grow with the story. It felt like the ending was forced, rushed, and somewhat frustrating. I ended up giving it 3 stars only because I may end up reading the sequel.
Profile Image for Tierney.
22 reviews
February 18, 2024
Now I would give this book five stars, but the first eight to ten chapters were very slow. I know it’s the build up but still, it started pretty slow. Although after those first few chapters it begins to get very good and had a few twists.

I started this book a month ago and thought that this would be in my DNF’s but I pushed through the first few chapters and ended up enjoying it. I will most definitely read the next book. ❤️
968 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2017
Worth reading

The storyline is quite different, I was skeptical at first, but found that I wanted to see how it all happened. Because of an editing error in the beginning, I was afraid the whole book would be riddled with them, but it wasn't. That waive vs wave really had me set up to not like it and I was pleasantly surprised.
Profile Image for Lori Lee.
126 reviews
November 18, 2021
Interesting beginning to this YA series

This is an apocalyptic setting with 117 children being preserved from a dying Earth. They are being preserved to eventually take ships out into the cosmos to repopulate the species. The plot has been done before, but this book has some new twists that keep it fresh. I've already downloaded the second book in the series.
183 reviews
March 17, 2018
Discombobulated, but riveting

The story jumped around a lot from different perspectives on the first half. It leveled out with purpose and an end so ghastly it left you wondering if the future was going to be as dark and red as the final stand.
Profile Image for Anthony Johnson.
12 reviews
April 15, 2020
Dystopion sci fi

Brilliant. Really enjoyed this book, the ending was nail biting and a bit shocking. Cant wait for the next book
Profile Image for Patricia Kaniasty.
1,489 reviews61 followers
February 7, 2021
Very good story. Kept me turning the pages. Lots of excitement and adventure. Not what I expected from the cover.
150 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2023
Good

Good read. Crappy cliffhanger ending though. Syfy end of life book with a touch of zombie apocalypse and the start of possible recolonizing on different planets.
Profile Image for Lynanne Carroll.
122 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2016
2.5?

I started reading The Eden Project because I enjoyed the concept--humanity's last chance? Planetary relocation? Sounds compelling--and wanted to see where the author was going with it. (Also, I enjoy YA reads...and I'm writing for YA...and I like Sci-fi.)

I stopped reading The Eden Project about a third of the way through because it just wasn't for me. The main characters weren't repulsive (aka unlikable/unrelateable...if that isn't a word, it should be) or gripping; they simply were. The dialogue was also mediocre, although, in the author's defense, I'm out of the target audience range, so that could explain much of my disinterest.

One thing the story DID have going for it: I could understand it. Sometimes you pick up a novel and you are baffled about the plot, characters, and/or purpose of said plot and characters for chapters on end. This novel was easy to get from the beginning--though that isn't to say it had no mystery whatsoever. I'm merely saying it wasn't confusing for the sake of throwing the reader off the scent of the plot. I found this refreshing :)

The Eden Project would probably be entertaining/interesting to pre-teens and teens. As for adults...not so much. There are some really great YA reads out there that, as an adult, I have devoured and loved so much I'd re-read them...but his wasn't one of them.


Profile Image for Angus.
Author 9 books33 followers
August 21, 2014
There are seven doctors and engineers left to tend and teach the one hundred and seventeen laboratory created human children of the Eden project. The C-1 virus has decimated planet Earth’s human population turning all those infected into a cross between the creatures of I Am Legend and the reevers (cannibalistic zombies of the Firefly series).

There are enclaves of survivors scattered and dwindling while these children grow into the task of manning generation colonization ships.
This is a well conceived and written work. The children viewpoint in the story takes you into the emotions of teens that have been told from the longest they can remember who they were intended to mate with when the time came. The doctors and engineer struggle with the concept that they have already sacrificed themselves trying to keep the children and the project first. No more spoilers.

I enjoyed this story enough to get the sequel. Some editing fumbles and too much angst have forced me to grade it down a bit. Awarding four out of five units of book reading pleasure.

http://www.amazon.com/Eden-Project-Hu...
Profile Image for Anna Tan.
Author 29 books176 followers
January 20, 2015
So, book-reading binge on an all-day plane ride (well, technically 15 hours... plus 3-hour transit but...).

The Eden Project was a pretty interesting read. Not enough that I'd say I *loved* it, but, well, yeah, good enough. Basically, 117 kids (out of 121) are raised in this dome by scientists in order to keep them clean from a virus that has infected the world and turned them into... zombies. Well, Fitzsimons doesn't use the word "zombies", but basically mindless cannibals or something like that. So. Zombies.

Anyway, the oldest of these kids, the original 8, are now teenagers and they've been paired up by the scientists (they call each other their "intended" which sounds kind of archaic, but also kind of cute and adorable).

The immediate thrust of the story seems to start off with the relationship between two of the kids, Genevieve and Adam, who aren't intended to be with each other, and this causes all sorts of problems within their enclosed community. But this soon veers off into bigger problems because while trying to show each other up, (any being typical disobedient teenagers despite the risk) they inadvertently give away their existence to people who shouldn't know that they exist.

So once that happens... disaster strikes.
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,763 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2019
Book #1 in the Eden Project.

Every so often, a book series comes a long that really grabs on and hold be tight until the end. This beginning book did this to me. I liked it because it was unique from some of the other dystopian book I have read. This one was about keeping the kids inside a controlled environment and then sending them off into space. It had all the elements of a good YA book: drama, romance, competition. It was well written. The reason I gave it three stars and not more is that it feels heavy. Like a dark shadow is just out of view the entire time. Some would say that this would make it a four (and believe me...it is pushing a four stars...) But I just couldn't give it four. The second time I read it was right before I started the other two books, so maybe that weighed in on my decision.

Three stars.
Profile Image for Renee Rearden.
Author 2 books79 followers
March 3, 2013
A group of uncontaminated children are trained to navigate the solar system, in the hopes of finding new planets to populate and save humanity from extinction. I love the concept of the Eden Project. Mr. Fitzsimons did an excellent job of mashing a sci-fi, apocalyptic, young adult story line together.

There was just enough techno speak and gadgets to make it futuristic but still understandable, enough believable devastation to create a decimated world and forever-changed population, and plenty of teenage-angst without going overboard on the angst. Other than a few confusing point of view shifts and a small amount of present slang terminology in a future time, this book rocked. I can't wait for the sequel. I HAVE to know what happened to Gen, Zeke, Adam, Ada and the rest of the group!
Profile Image for Vered.
Author 95 books309 followers
July 17, 2013
I rated this a strong 3.5 stars. Combine Sci-Fi with Zombie Apocalypse and you get the idea. A virus has swept the planet, transforming the infected into cannibalistic beasts. The Eden Project is the last remaining hope for the human species, 117 uninfected children contained in a glass bubble as they prepare ships that will take them to the far reaches of the galaxy.

If you like Sci-Fi and post-apocalyptic stories, then you’ll probably enjoy this one. The story swings between the normal, teen angst of the characters to the greater survival problem of the species. There’s a certain randomness to some of the events, especially the ending, which I guess is how real life can sometimes be. I’m not sure yet if I’ll read the sequel.
Profile Image for Apzmarshl.
1,798 reviews32 followers
May 13, 2013
117 children were raised parentless and in the isolation of the dome. Supervised by a group of scientists that had also been removed from crumbling society. Eventually the children would be rocketed out into the galaxy, fleeing a zombie virus, and hopefully saving human existence.
Fun concept. The beginning and end if the book seemed vastly different. We were strolling along finding out about scientific pairing of teens for strong procreation reasons, having a little Romeo and Juliet moment. Then suddenly boom, everything is rushed and the book ends. I'd love to read the next volume.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
187 reviews5 followers
September 26, 2015
I'm rather undecided with this book. On one hand I enjoyed the basic story; post-apocalyptic; a virus which destroyed the human race and world as a whole. However, I thought it was slow the first half of the book. Then half way through it picked up fast and kept on going. It was like two completely different people had written it!

I enjoy sci fi and dystopian stories, which is what initially attracted me to read this, however, it just didn't have me wanting more. As much as I would like to find out what happens next, unless it is a freebie, I do not plan to purchase the next in the series.
6 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2013
I received this book for free through good reads first read. An almost zombie sci-fi novel where the zombies are mostly back story. Overall an excellent book appealing even to those older than the target audience. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and disjointed. Questions raised in the book were rushed through or ignored while an entire new plot line showed up in the last twenty pages or so just to vanish into the ending without any exploration.
Profile Image for Mia.
1,254 reviews
March 4, 2015
This book didn't work for me. The world building was super weak and I never fully felt like we knew enough about the actual Eden project and the disease humans outside the dome had. It sounded like zombies at the very end. The first chunk of the book was so slow and the end was so rushed and there was a lot of gore at the end, which I wasn't a fan of. I'm not interested in reading the next book at all.
Profile Image for Amy.
71 reviews
April 9, 2013
I received this book for free from the first reads giveaway. I was very surprised that I was so engrossed in this story. Uninfected children are raised by doctors who lived on the other side of the glass wall. They are the last hope for the human species. I was was disappointed in the ending. It was a little too abrupt. Overall a nice novel with good character development.
Profile Image for Deborah Leitch.
Author 2 books5 followers
July 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Read it in a couple of days. It was kind of slow to build action, but once it did, it was great, by that time I was totally invested in the characters. Fitzsimons has a nice clean and crisp writing style. I will read the next edition because I really want to do know if Adam and Jenn find a way to get together.







Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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