Thursday, January 26, 2017

Rising Tides

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.  

22 comments:

  1. It's always disappointing when you want to like a book and then don't. I'm not sure I like the cover either. I mean, it's OK but I couldn't help think a stormy sky over a raging sea would have had more impact. And why is the girl just lying there? However, I do like the logline.

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    1. I think it could have used a better cover. I kinda liked it when I saw it but I think it could have been done better.

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  2. I don't think it would be to my tastes from what is written there...not a great cover either. I agree that stormy clouds might have had a better effect!

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    1. It could use a better cover. Definitely. Storm clouds and a raging sea, or maybe more of a feel for the world, might have been an improvement!

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  3. I'm sorry this one didn't live up to your expectations, Greg. I can see the potential it's just a shame that, for whatever reason, the book didn't pull you in.

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    1. Thank you Brandee. I was mildly disappointed but they can't all work! I did want to try it...

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  4. I'm sorry that this one just wasn't for you... I might still try it because it does sound good - but again, it sounded like it would be right for you too!

    It has a lovely cover though....

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    1. Yeah- it wasn't awful, just not my thing. Lots of people on Goodread seemed to like it...

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  5. Aw man, too bad! It's always a disappointment when a great premise for a story is poorly executed. I do love the sound of a slow burn romance though, because those are always a ton of fun!

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    1. Yeah I agree. the premise- so much potential! The slow burn romance was good- if you like hate to love she delivers that pretty good.

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  6. Too bad that didn't work for you! I don't mind if something is unrealistic but the author has to really sell it and create the world which doesn't sound like is what happened here. I think I'll pass on it.

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    1. I think the dialogue and interactions were a lot better than the worldbuilding.

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  7. Aw that is sad. In my head, I picture Luna's Rig, complete with... mermen? Also, is it only men who can go under the water? That doesn't seem right. I would be super useful underwater. More than on land, tbh.

    I agree that having ONE piece of land is not realistic at all. I mean, maybe only one they know about, but one in general? Wouldn't it have just been swallowed too? And... isn't all the stuff they salvage incredibly... soggy? What even would you do with old, waterlogged crap? Too bad it was only okay, the premise could have been really good!

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    1. Luna's Rig- I don't know that one. And yes- the nautilus men, for some reason they only did men. I remember ther being a story reason but don't remember what- not super convincing. I even thoguht that when I wrote my review- I was like people are going to wonder why nautilus MEN and not nautilus whoever, and I can't even remember! Ack.

      Yeah worldbuilding could have been better. Instead of scattered islands or an archipelago there was just one land. whatevs. And the salvage- good point. She made a point to say they eat canned goods, but they also bring up artifacts or whatever. Another missed opportunity- they could have got into the whole undersea thing, but...

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  8. Whoa, nautilus men, that sounds intense and kind of awesome. I like the sound of the slow burn, but now I kinda just want a story about one of these nautilus men lol.

    It's funny, I was literally just talking to someone the other day about the melting glaciers and rising sea level, so I could believe that part (although there might be at least a few different ares where there was still land, depending on how high above sea level different continents are). But I'm with Shannon---wouldn't everything be soggy and ruined? They should've just made everyone nautilus and started building domes underwater or something. I'm making up a whole new story here lol.

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    1. Ha ha see your idea is better already! I love underwater stuff, add some dome cities and I'd be all over that. And the nautilus concept WAS kinda cool- they had an operation and gills were like implanted and then they could be underwater. I liked it but they never went anywhere with it.

      And I love the global warming/ rising sea thing too (that's what initially attracted me to it) but I was disappointed- it just didn't seem realistic there was only ONE (small) piece of land. there have to be a few, right? Islands or an archipleago- that would be cool. I just wanted more...

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  9. I'm sorry you didn't connect with this. Dystopians aren't my cup of tea, but this is a original premise.

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    1. I love a good dystopian but this one just didn't. It's not a bad book...

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  10. Sorry the book didn't work for you. I hate when that happens because you're all excited and then you're confused when you're reading because you're just not loving it. It's worse when you realise it's not the books fault because everything is there for you to enjoy it but something doesn't click. I'd much rather it just be a bad book, you know? I'd not actually heard of it so I may check it out at some point but I'm just not feeling dystopia at the moment.

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  11. Bummer. It sounds like it could have been really good. I have a hard time loving books I don't believe, though.

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  12. Sorry this one didn't work better for you. It sounds okay, but maybe not for me. Great review though! :D

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  13. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think I will steer clear of this one. :)

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