Rising Tides

Rising Tides is a story I wanted to like. I mean the premise is there. A dystopian future where the survivors have settled on a floating city with a few others scattered in wandering bands or on New Eden, the only land left above water. Libby is a surgeon's daughter and a high member of society due to her fathers importance- not only is he a doctor but he is the only one who knows how to make nautilus men- people who undergo a procedure so they can breath underwater. The nautilus men salvage from the lost cities beneath the waves, so they're pretty important. 

The trouble starts when a young man from outside shows up and has the procedure- her father does it in secret and Libby doesn't know why. Her father trusts the stranger Cosimo and wants to leave with him afterward but won't tell her where they are going. And of course leaving won't be that simple. 

Like I said I wanted to like this- I just wasn't sucked in. It's not a bad book, it just didn't work for me. Libby is a great character, she's acerbic and hostile to Cosimo- he represents a challenge to her orderly life- and their relationship is a slow burn which is the best kind. No one else really stood out for me. The story itself is about secrets and betrayals but I have a hard time believing that seas rose so much there's only like one piece of land left. It just isn't very realistic. 

I've seen good reviews for this and I think it's a fine YA book. I think it'd be a great read for the right person. It wasn't for me but I stuck with it and if you like a quick YA dystopian with a strong female lead this might be a good pick.