Undertow [Kindle Edition]

Callie Kingston (Author)

Book Description

While she sleeps beside a
log on the wild Oregon coast, a rogue wave pulls Marissa into the sea.
Now she dreams each night of a merman who rescues her. Obsessed with
returning to this beautiful creature, she again risks her life in the
frigid ocean.

Will Marissa remain lost forever in the eddies of
her mind, or can real love save her from the abyss? Sometimes, the
dangers which lie within are the deadliest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Boy, was I unexpectedly surprised - and excitedly so! This story has so many layers that go way beyond the surface . . . the pacing was phenomenal . . ."

-- Sara, So Simple Sara book reviews

"Well written, well-paced and a storyline that draws you in. Excellent book for any young adult. The author takes a well-known tale and puts an absolutely new and modern twist on it."

-- Amazon.co.uk reviewer

 

"The book has enough well-paced sub-plots and mystic elements to keep the reader turning the pages in eager anticipation of the next chapter. The characters are realistic and believable, with their histories revealed gradually as the story unfolds."

-- Linda H., Amazon Reviewer

"The love story and family conflicts also felt very realistic and not at all contrived. . . The love story was sweet . . .Very very good story and definitely worth the read, I have high expectations for this new author!"

-- Alisha, Goodreads reviewer

From the Author

Undertow began as an idea I had about a young woman who believes she was rescued by a mythical creature and becomes obsessed with finding him. Could she find her way back to the love waiting for her in the real world?

    

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 353 KB
• Print Length: 232 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615599877
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Carolwood Press; 2nd edition (January 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006SJK0AM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,113 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pushed Too Far February 22, 2012

By The Book Runner TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Spoilers
This is not a romance but a cry for help. Marissa has experienced a past trauma that she was never given help to overcome. Additionally, her family has a medical history of depression so that quite frankly, Marissa is mentally sick. The book spends some time flirting with the notion of whether she is crazy or in love with a mythical creature, but the reality is that she is trying to deal with her past and is not winning.

Marissa finds out her boyfriend of two years, Drake has been cheating on her and almost drowns when she falls asleep on the coast after running away from him. Her parents are divorced, her mother critical, her father ignores her emotionally and now she is betrayed by the only person she thought that loved her. She is unable to count on any one in her life they have ALL hurt her or failed to protect her and she is left trying to pick up the pieces and deal.

Thankfully (and really conveniently) Marissa meets Jim the first week of transferring to a new college. Jim is the most wonderful guy and I really hated to see him get mixed up in her drama. He is steadfast and loyal and would have made a great first boyfriend perhaps preventing her downward spiral.

Do not download this thinking it will be lighthearted. It is about pain and hurt and failure. Very Depressing.

Would I/Did I buy it? Free Download
Would I read it again? No
Would I recommend it to friends? Probably not

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Undertow February 29, 2012

By Reading By The Beach

Format:Kindle Edition

First and foremost, people will start reading this book expecting a paranormal twist, but don't be fooled, this is not paranormal in any way. Undertow is an emotional story about a girl trying to find a reason to fight to live. A gripping novel that will send the readers on an emotional roller coaster that dips so low before the rise. A brilliant, realistic story about the power of obsession and the courage to live through it.

Marissa is no doubt, a damaged seventeen year old, becoming more realistic with each struggle that weighs her down. You feel through her, which is never an easy feat for an author. Marissa has experienced countless disappointments and heartaches, some that most people will never have to face, some enevitable. Like the ocean, Marissa is deep, dark and untempered until she finds her anchor.

The ocean motif(analogies that Marissa uses to describe things or people around her) leads you to believe that there will be a paranormal aspect(mermaids, most likely), but once you dig a little deeper, you see the importance of the ocean and the power that it holds over Marissa. Undertow will make you think, it will make you take a deeper look into the story to assess the subtle clues that are strewed without. Realistic situations, realistic characters and powerful emotions are all wrapped up in the story.

Undertow is set in the scenic, coastal Oregon. Callie Kingston ferries you to each location with vivid imagery, adding a breathtaking element to her already omnipotent novel.

Exceptional writing that transports you into the story, to experience each new development as if it were your own. I cannot convey enough how emotional Undertow is. It starts out subtle then hits you full on like a rogue wave. A story that will burrow into your mind, escape impossible until you know the ending, no scratch that, way beyond the ending. This is a story that will stay with you. Recommended for ALL readers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Live To Read April 8, 2012

By Chels

Format:Paperback

Marissa's life is far from perfect. She has a mother who always seems to be angry with her and a father who doesn't seem to notice her. It is interesting how the author portrayed Marissa's character. The reader will learn later on in the book that Marissa is not quite what she seems, but the author handles that problem very fluidly. Marissa is slipping and it's not just because her life is slowly becoming crazier.

Overall, the best and most interesting character was Marissa's. It is intriguing because most likely the reader won't take to her character right away. She isn't exactly a warm and friendly type, a bit prickly instead. However, her romance with the merman who saves her and her clear love for who she imagines him to be will serve to make the reader feel more compassion for her. The other characters are interesting...not all likable.

The plot itself is great. The author has a clear goal from page one and accomplishes that goal wonderfully. The ending is somewhat unexpected, but oddly perfect. This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.

*Complimentary copy received for this review, does not affect my opinion in any way*

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