Undercurrent

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Author(s)

Paul Blackwell

Publisher

HarperTeen

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

July 23, 2013

ISBN

0062123505

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In this suspenseful teen thriller with a touch of the otherworldly, perfect for fans of Neal Shusterman, a boy goes over a waterfall and wakes up to find himself in a twisted version of the life he knew.

A shadowy figure. An intense roar. The sensation of falling—fast.

That’s all Callum Harris remembers from his tumble over the waterfall. But when he wakes up in a hospital bed and finds his best friend trying to kill him, Callum knows something is seriously wrong. Unfortunately for him, the mysteries are just getting started.

Why are his parents acting like he’s some big sports star all of a sudden? And why are all the buildings in town more run-down than Callum remembers? Worst of all...what happened to Callum’s brother? Either Callum has gone seriously crazy or something happened when he went over the falls. Something impossible. Callum needs answers, and now. Because in this twisted new version of the life Callum knew, his former best friend isn’t the only one who wants to see him dead.

Filled with mind-bending suspense and unsettling thrills, Undercurrent is a grippingly paced teen debut that will pull you under and never let go.

A shadowy figure. An intense roar. The sensation of falling—fast.

Filled with mind-bending suspense and unsettling thrills, Undercurrent is a grippingly paced teen debut that will pull you under and never let go.

Editor reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

4.2

Plot

4.5(2)

Characters

4.0(2)

Writing Style

4.0(2)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

Thrilling Debut.

July 14, 2013

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

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What I Liked: The cover is what piqued my interest about reading this one. I liked the male POV, Callum is a relateable character and I felt he had an authentic "boy" voice. I was looking forward to a fast paced, thrilling read full of twists and turns and for the most part, that's what UNDERCURRENT delivers. The story lags in a few spots and readers who tend to pick up on "clues" (like myself) will probably figure out what's going on fairly early but I don't think it will detract from the story itself.

What Left Me Wanting More: The ending was left a little too open for my taste.

Final Verdict: Fast-paced thrill ride with a Sci-Fi twist.

Jen Top 10 Reviewer 415 reviews

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Page Turner!

July 12, 2013

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

N/A

Characters

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Writing Style

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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

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What I Loved:

From the very first page, this book is infused with constant tension. The sense of discombobulation experienced by the main character is felt by the reader as well. Fear for the main character's safety ratchets up with every chapter. I devoured this book because I couldn't bear to stop reading.

The main character is likable and flawed, which makes him wonderfully relatable to readers. It was refreshing to read a book from a boy's perspective and have him sound like an authentic boy. The flashbacks of his past were well done, adding to the pacing of the story rather than detracting, and the reader feels connected to him while also desperately worrying that he'll either die or suffer the consequences for things he didn't do.

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, as well. It reminded me a little bit of Fringe, a show I really loved. I think readers of thrillers, readers who like a light sci fi twist, and reluctant readers who would be captured by a boy's voice and a contemporary setting with high stakes will enjoy this book.

What Left Me Wanting More:

There were a few places where the reader figures out clues to Cal's new life, or to the danger he faces, long before Cal does, even though he has the same clues. Some readers might find that frustrating, although the story moves along so quickly, there's little time to worry about it. I also wanted a bit more of a solid ending. I wanted to live it, to see how it worked, instead of seeing the huge climactic moment in a retrospective epilogue.

Final Verdict:

UNDERCURRENT is a fast-paced thrill ride that will keep readers turning pages long into the night.