Undertow

September 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-When thousands of ocean dwellers (the Alpha) come ashore at Coney Island, 16-year-old Lyric Walker becomes involved when her high school is chosen for assimilation of the teenage Alpha. Lyric is assigned to assist Fathom, the Alpha crown prince; first a friendship and then a romance develops between the two. The story has strong characters and world-building; incorporates elements of diversity, prejudice, domestic abuse, and intolerance; and also has parallels with the civil rights movement. Jennifer Grace provides a smooth and practiced narration, adding to the action, emotion, and suspense of this well-written combination dystopian thriller and coming-of-age story. VERDICT Of interest to young adults and fans of dystopian fantasy.-Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY

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