This book was recommended by a friend of mine who I pretty much consider a guru when it comes to anything YA fiction. As soon as she gave me the title, I knew it was going to be next in line on my ‘To Read’ list.
I’m so glad it was!
“Drowned” by Nichola Reilly is the first in a new series of YA books. (Stop that eye roll right now – once you read this, you will be so happy it’s going to be a series!)
Synopsis:
Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival.
Until the day their King falls ill, leaving no male heir to take his place. Unrest grows, and for reasons Coe cannot comprehend, she is invited into the privileged circle of royal aides. She soon learns that the dying royal is keeping a secret that will change their world forever.
Is there an escape from the horrific nightmare that their island home has become? Coe must race to find the answers and save the people she cares about, before their world and everything they know is lost to the waters.
The Short: 5 Stars – Loved it!
The Long: This book was fantastic. Original plot – imagine a world where, with each rising tide, you must huddle together on a platform or face death? Survival of the fittest to the extreme; Intriguing characters – I was sucked in immediately through the depth that Ms. Reilly gave each character, regardless of how minor they were; Unpredictable – there are multiple twists, but none like the one at the very end, that ultimately leads to Coe’s survival of the tides.
I think what I liked best about this book is that the entire time I read, all I could think about was what I would do if I were in that situation. This author does such an excellent job pulling the reader into her world, that you can truly get lost in it.
I also appreciated that the heroine was lame – her arm having been lost from a childhood accident with an animal. I liked that the main character could be strong and level headed, even if she wasn’t perfect or had amazing fighting skills, like is so common of many heroines in YA fiction. She was the friend of no one, who still fought to be kind to all, no matter the circumstance.
Overall, fabulous read which will leave you waiting for the next installment, due out in 2015.
Happy Reading, friends!
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