Very excited today to be part of the blog tour hosted by Rock Star Book Tours for Michael Buckley's new book Undertow.
I have enjoyed his middle grade books, so I was super excited to see this YA book.
About the Book
Title: UNDERTOW
Author: Michael Buckley
Pub. Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Sixteen-year-old Lyric Walker’s life is forever changed when
she witnesses the arrival of 30,000 Alpha, a five-nation race of ocean-dwelling
warriors, on her beach in Coney Island. The world’s initial wonder and awe over
the Alpha quickly turns ugly and paranoid and violent, and Lyric’s small town
transforms into a military zone with humans on one side and Alpha on the other.
When Lyric is recruited to help the crown prince, a boy named Fathom,
assimilate, she begins to fall for him. But their love is a dangerous one, and
there are forces on both sides working to keep them apart. Only, what if the
Alpha are not actually the enemy? What if they are in fact humanity’s only hope
of survival? Because the real enemy is coming. And it’s more terrifying than
anything the world has ever seen.
Action, suspense, and romance whirlpool dangerously in this cinematic saga, a blend of District 9 and The Outsiders.
New York Times
bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand
as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio
University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an
intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing
programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo
(producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with
his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.
Twitter | Goodreads
Ok I was excited to read this book because I have loved Michael Buckley's middle grade books. My kids and I listened to the first N.E.R.D.S. book while go to and from school. So when I had the opportunity to read this book for this blog tour I was super excited.
That said I went into the story very optimistic. And to be honest - at first I wasn't overly thrilled. But as I kept reading something happened. I got more and more and more involved in the story and in the characters. I became curious about how Lyric would come through this, and more curious about who the Alpha were and what the full story behind them were. I wanted to know the answers - Could they be trusted? Why were they here? How does Lyric fit with them? The summary hints at a bigger threat - what is that threat? I found that every time I put the book down, I had to pick it up again because I wanted to know.
I wish I could pinpoint exactly what I liked, but it's hard to do. So I'll list some things I liked instead:
- I liked Lyric. She wasn't a quitter or reserved or one to sit back. She came out swinging whenever she needed to!
- I liked Lyric's friend Bex. She had a rough life, and her story really grew on me. I felt for her.
- I liked Doyle even tho I still don't know if he can be trusted. You'll learn about him when you read the book!
- I liked the description of all the different Alpha. It was fun to try and picture them!
- I liked that Lyric had migraines because I get them, so I could relate.
- I liked the ending even though I need the second book now!
- I liked Fathom. He became much more filled out as the story went along and that was part of what hooked me in.
Over all - Fun, quick, fast-paced read that pulled me in and long like the tide (see what I did there!)
Giveaway
Details:
5 winners will receive a prize pack that
contains an Undertow beach towel, beach bag, bookmark, a finished book.
US
Only.
Rafflecopter:
Tour Schedule
Week One:
4/27/2015- Melissa's
Eclectic Bookshelf- Interview
4/28/2015- Library
of a Book Witch- Review
4/29/2015- Moonlight Gleam Reviews- Book Trailer Post
4/30/2015- Word Spelunking- Review
5/1/2015- Bewitched Bookworms- Book Excerpt
Week Two:
5/4/2015- For
the Love of Words- Review
5/5/2015- Novel Novice - Guest Post
5/6/2015- The
O.W.L.- Review
5/7/2015- Mom
With A Kindle- Interview
This seems so interesting! Unfortunately I cannot enter the giveaway, since I'm from Greece, but I will definitely try to find and read this book!
ReplyDeleteAeriko @ http://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.com
I've been excited for this book to come out for a while. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy! I'm number 32 in my public library's wait list.
ReplyDeleteThat cover is a knockout. The story sounds intriguing. Thanks for the review and chance to win.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, and what a great cover! The story sounds very original, haven't read any like it.
ReplyDelete