Leslie Lutz

FROM SYNC 2023:
Narrator Chloe Dolandis keeps the tension high in this creepy YA thriller. Sia Gianopoulos has diving in her blood. After a charter dive goes wrong and the boat is wrecked by a monstrous creature, Sia washes up on an island with a handful of survivors and a lot of questions. Dolandis nails the pacing that is key to this type of story. The mystery plays out slowly enough to build the suspense to a fever pitch, then goes into overdrive for the action. As Sia dictates letters telling the story to her incarcerated father, Dolandis’s subtle performance creates a heightened sense of terror. The sequences detailing Sia’s deep ocean dives will have listeners holding their breath—and maybe wanting to give it a try.… (altro)

Tasia works with her mom, doing scuba diving tours for tourists. During one fateful dive, something terrible happens and then, while trying to find the solution, a mysterious creature attacks the boats and sinks them. Tasia wakes up on a deserted island with her younger brother and two others. There's no sign of rescue and the monster is still out there. Stranger still, this island has something going on with it and Tasia knows they must get off of it, and soon.

This book is written in diary/journal form from Tasia as she writes to her dad, who's in prison, about what has happened. It does use "You" to address her dad. Even though it was technically written as 2nd Person, I generally enjoyed it that way; it seemed to give the reader a bit more of an insight into these characters' lives and the family dynamic. Regardless of it being a POV I'm not used to, the narrative grabbed my attention and I was always wanting to know more.

The characters were well developed and I never felt that any were skimmed over. I also felt like Leslie Lutz did a wonderful job at describing scuba diving and it's gear. I'm from the middle of the United States, I've only seen the ocean once, so I don't know much about scuba diving but the bare minimum (that there's equipment that helps you breath under water). Even if I didn't know exactly what was happening, I still felt informed.

I did feel like the ending was a tad bit rushed, the last three chapters/entries for sure. I totally understand why it was rushed but the rest of the novel was so greatly paced that it came as a surprise that it would end that way. I sort of wish it had a bit more details to the ending, but due to the science fiction aspect of it, a lot of questions will remain unanswered. I am still satisfied with the ending though.

This novel is great for anyone who wants a bit of an adventure mixed with science fiction. May not be the best for those who don't like the ocean as it might give them more of a fright!… (altro)