The water from the tides guides Coe's existence. Daily, Coe
and the other survivors of a long forgotten past gather
themselves into formation and hope that this will not be the
day that the tides take them away. Coe is unique among the
496 survivors of the island of Tides as she isn't physically
as hardy as the others due to missing part of one of her
arms. Unfortunately, the king of their island is now ill and
things are about to change for everyone on Tides. Will Coe
survive the shifting tides of change?
Wow! Nichola Reilly has crafted a very unique
dystopian/post-apocalyptic world with DROWNED. The world
building is expertly drawn as we see jobs and a culture
emerge in a world very unlike anything we've ever seen. The
Scribblers provide an additional threat from the sea as they
keep the survivors from embracing life in the water.
Coe is a phenomenal heroine! She's the quintessential
survivor, handling a very difficult life with a disability
that could have destroyed others. She's loyal, almost to a
fault, as she is willing to do anything for those she cares
about, even if it causes her pain. She's torn between her
loyalties as Finn and Tiam have plans for the island, and I
like how Nichola Reilly pulls us into Coe's dilemma over
what to do. And I couldn't help but love how Coe uses the
knowledge from fairy tales and the book from her father!
DROWNED is one of the most imaginative young adult
dystopian/post-apocalyptic tales I've read in quite a while.
Nichola Reilly breathes new life into the genre with this
fascinating story. And oh, just wait till you read the
twists and turns Nichola Reilly throws at you in the last
portion of the book! DROWNED is highly recommended!
Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of
Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in
a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is
not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult
life is the strong, capable Tiam-but love has long ago been
forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival.
Until the day their King falls ill, leaving no male heir to
take his place. Unrest grows, and for reasons Coe cannot
comprehend, she is invited into the privileged circle of
royal aides. She soon learns that the dying royal is keeping
a secret that will change their world forever. Is there an
escape from the horrific nightmare that their island home
has become? Coe must race to find the answers and save the
people she cares about, before their world and everything
they know is lost to the waters.