Review Detail

Think REVENGE meets YA. I was a huge fan of the first season of the TV series REVENGE. The Count of Monte Cristo influence of where a wronged person later comes back to seek revenge against those who wronged him has always intrigued me.

In Carrie Ryan's latest, DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE introduces readers to fourteen-old-year Frances and the horrific act that killed not only her parents but a cruise ship filled with passengers. Her and her friend Libby escape at sea but only one survives.

This is where the story takes a COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO turn. Frances ends up taking Libby's identity and on her eighteenth birthday, she seeks out the only other two survivors of Persephone, the Senator and his son Grey, who lied on what happened that fateful night.

What worked: Let's just say I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Yes, it's that good! Frances thirst for revenge is all consuming but then again who can blame her? She plots out her plans to find the truth even if this means destroying Grey, who just happened to be her first love. At first Frances-Libby-comes across as hard, cold, and calculating. I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks but in this case they work as they peel back that tough girl mask and show the vulnerabilities and hurt. When Frances became Libby, she lost not only her identity but her soul. Her quest to get revenge is her way to get redemption no matter the cost.

The relationship between her and Grey is intense right at the start. He also throws a mega kink in her plans. But to be honest I wanted to see more chemistry between her and Shepherd, the boy that fell in love with the real 'Libby'. There was hints of a possible connection but nothing more.

I do admit there is one scene that had me wondering over the logistics of how she was able to accomplish the deed though I put that aside and just let myself continue on the amazing ride. This is one of those books you don't want to end!

Filled with unexpected twists and turns, this tale of revenge will have you gasping for more! But mostly this is a story of a survivor who owns up to her inner strength and refuses to be the victim. A total must read!