Undertow

By: Michael Buckley

Narrated by: Jennifer Grace

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

When Lyric Walker was 14 years old, her life was turned upside down when she witnessed a world-changing event - the arrival of the Triton, a five-nation race of warrior merpeople who walked out of the sea and camped on the beaches of modern-day Coney Island. Suddenly her neighborhood was home to a new minority group numbering in the tens of thousands. But the Triton's arrival also revealed a shocking family secret: Her own mother was a mermaid.

©2015 Michael Buckley (P)2015 Recorded Books

Great start to this trilogy

What made the experience of listening to Undertow the most enjoyable?

The narrator really brought the different characters to life. I liked hearing about the differences in cultures and I could really feel that the characters were teenagers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Undertow?

The description of the "red shirts" and their stand against the Alpha. The fear that they bring with their red shirts and the destruction they cause in families and the community.

What about Jennifer Grace’s performance did you like?

Her ability to suck me into the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not Your Average Fish Story...actually I have no idea.

An undersea adventure

Again I felt in action and felt the romance and thrill of this book!! I hope fathom is ok!!!

I loved “Undertow” by Michael Buckley.

I loved “Undertow” by Michael Buckley. Parts of this book reminded me a lot of the tv show that played on CW “Starcrossed.” Instead of Aliens, we are faced with some sort of fish creatures called the Alpha. Everything has changed in Coney Island.

Lyric Walker is a 16-year-old girl who used to be a wild child. She used to get herself into all kind of trouble but for the last several years she has just been lying low. She shows up to school when she is supposed too and she keeps her head down low. The last thing Lyric walker wants to do is cause any trouble.

Now it is the first day of school that everyone has been waiting for. There are protesters lining the streets because today is the day that six Alpha will join the school with the human kids. No one likes this idea, but the government is wanting to try to see what happens. Lyric goes to school like she is supposed too and well a fight breaks out in one of her classes. Instead of letting the students keep on fighting each other Lyric steps in to try to stop the fight, resulting in everyone getting into trouble.

Then the principal, Doyle, tells Lyric that she is going to help him with a special project or he will put her in lock up. Come to find out this special project is for her to meet with Fathom, the prince of the Alpha, every day to help him learn the ways of humans. Of course Lyric objected but she ended up having to do it anyway. Lyric starts teaching Fathom an even though she is reluctant about it she starts to enjoy their little visits. Everything in Coney Island is about to change and humans aren’t ready for it.

I really liked Lyric Walker’s character. Lyric used to be this extremely selfish girl and now she is obeying her parents and lying low to protect her family. She also knows when to stick up for others because it isn’t fair for them to be treated badly. A lot of people call Lyric names and she still holds her head high. She still does her assignment and she still tries to find a way to protect her family including her friends. Life isn’t easy for Lyric but she is willing to do the best that she can do.

I really liked this story because it kept me engrossed the entire time. I listened to the audio-book and I think that Jennifer Grace did a fantastic job of narrating. I think she does a great job of telling the story because she puts so much heart into the story. I love that she does voices and she makes the reader feel like they are a part of the story not just listening to it. This is the first book that I have read by Michael Buckley and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading book two of the “Undertow” trilogy.

“AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY”

lack of depth

I really liked the story for this book but I feel like it could have been executed a lot better. Of course I will probably read it again and I do recommend it. My favorite things about a book are the character development and the development of the relationships. The main character was okay. I didn't love her like I loved characters from other books. I feel like I couldn't even picture what her love interest looked like. I ended up liking Becks and Shadow a little more than I liked Lyric. There wasn't much development with the relationship. They had to work with each other an hour every school day and then all of a sudden they're just making out and she's in love with him. I didn't feel like there were things that led to this. Well you knew she was starting to like him but I feel like he didn't really show too many signs. I felt like Lyric's character at the end of the book started to get really whiny and cheesy. It was hard for me to listen to.

Awesome

Story held me in suspense and I could not stop listening until it was done. Awesome story.

Amazing

The storyline and narrator were amazing, but the pauses between sentences were a bit long. Otherwise my new favorite book!

undertow

this was an OK book. I wished for the characters to have higher standards. done