Rip Tide is the sequel to the YA underwater thriller Dark Life, written by Kat Falls.
I recommend avoiding this review and reading Dark Life, if you haven't already. Otherwise, continue...
Fifteen-year-old Ty has lived his entire life in the ocean - a life choice made by his family to pioneer in the depths instead of make due in the fried Earth above. But this choice has led to some unintended consequences. Ty has an ability. So does his sister. And people don't like things they can't explain. Because of this, they tend to keep their talents quiet.
Yet despite the ocean being a dangerous place, Ty has never come across something as horrifying as he does one night as he's out with his friend Gemma (whom maybe he'd like to be more than friends). An entire township sunken - with people inside - apparently on purpose. Because how else would you explain it being chained to a downed airplane?
Before they know it, Ty and Gemma find themselves unraveling a mystery that has claimed the lives of hundreds - and before they even get a chance to try and solve it, two lives that are close to Ty and Gemma are endangered.
It's a race against time and muddy politics as Ty and Gemma fight against the authorities, criminals, and all the natural predators of the ocean to save the lives of not only their loved ones, but the many more in danger of falling victim to a vicious cycle that certain individuals don't want getting out...
Dark Life was an excellent undersea adventure that presented a lively, unique setting - and Rip Tide is a wonderful follow-up. I don't know if any more books are planned in the series or not, but I hope there are!
Rip Tide is a fast-paced, suspenseful, thrilling action-adventure YA novel with sensitive, introspective character development and light, yet involving, romance. The way Kat Falls deals with Gemma's fear of the water and how this effects her relationship with Ty, whose life is water, is lovely and understated. And Ty is refreshingly mature, though still realistically frustrated occasionally, and understanding in a way that just really makes you love him. These are endearing characters that have spunk and fire, providing us readers the ability to root for them as they fight against the odds.
The plot of Rip Tide is interesting, compelling, always multilayered and surprising. The political intrigue and corruption in this futuristic world governed by an unjust emergency rule that has long since overstayed its welcome but refuses to go away is fascinating. There's always more I want to know about this life, not only below the sea but also above it.
I was holding my breath through the action-packed, nail-biting conclusion and impressive villains, while other times smiling through the banter, friendships, warm family relationships, and hesitant kisses.
I was very happy with it and refuse to give away any more details, in case I accidentally give away something big! So go read Rip Tide! It should calm your book addict cravings for a good while. ;)
Comments