The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
katejoanna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Unique and creepy, an action packed misadventure deep beneath the Atlantic Oceanā¦Ā
For someone with a massive fear of the depths of the sea, diving and open water.. this was horrible in the best way.Ā
Very well thought out and clearly researched/knowledgeable on making it all seem plausible, discussing the scientific explanations, theories and plans.Ā
The characters dialogue on all of the above flows well and they each have backgrounds in sailing, studying ocean topography, exploring the deep sea or other scientific/boating/ocean careers or hobbies. Which makes it easy to follow and believe without telling it at you.Ā
It was a little over obvious/explaining at the start, but it is fairly complicated situation and so may have been easier than a more subtle introduction.Ā
Well written with good prose that immediately enticed me in, it was spooky and gripping.Ā
A very unique and interesting idea, with a little family, sci-fiĀ and romance thrown into the mix.Ā
For someone with a massive fear of the depths of the sea, diving and open water.. this was horrible in the best way.Ā
Very well thought out and clearly researched/knowledgeable on making it all seem plausible, discussing the scientific explanations, theories and plans.Ā
The characters dialogue on all of the above flows well and they each have backgrounds in sailing, studying ocean topography, exploring the deep sea or other scientific/boating/ocean careers or hobbies. Which makes it easy to follow and believe without telling it at you.Ā
It was a little over obvious/explaining at the start, but it is fairly complicated situation and so may have been easier than a more subtle introduction.Ā
Well written with good prose that immediately enticed me in, it was spooky and gripping.Ā
A very unique and interesting idea, with a little family, sci-fiĀ and romance thrown into the mix.Ā
apagetoturn's review against another edition
4.0
My actual rating is a 4.5.
Beneath was a book I chose to grab up and read as soon as I saw the cover and the tagline...
"An accident in the Atlantic Ocean. A fate no one could imagine."
Then, I read the blurb. I was hooked and HAD to know what would happen. Beneath is considered a young adult mystery and/or adventure. I like that definition. It leans on the side of almost fantasy/dystopian at some points just because it is sooooo different. Also, that cover is amazing! I would purchase this one on that alone.
I started this book yesterday morning (because I'm always behind on the ARC's I need to read), and I was hooked from the start. Chapter one literally dumps us right in the middle of the Atlanta Ocean - on a boat, at the start of what sounded like a pretty nasty storm. From there, so much happened that blew my mind, I didn't know what to think or believe. This book is so different from anything I've read before, and I've read a lot over the years.
I was able to be surprised, captured in the moments where these characters weren't sure if they would ever survive, or get out of their dire situation. There was so much going on, that I wasn't sure how easy it would be to follow, but since the book is written in third person, it helped me get a pretty rounded out view of everything, the character development and the science seemed to be there - although I am not sure if the science is all correct. That is not my forte.
I did find some moments between Colin and Stella to be a bit awkward and misplaced, but honestly, I am not sure I would act any better given their circumstances. I would of been doing all I can not to think about where we were as well. There was some light-hearted romance there, but nothing really resolved by the end. This is said to be first in the series though, so I look forward to what comes next. I still have so many questions.
Beneath was a book I chose to grab up and read as soon as I saw the cover and the tagline...
"An accident in the Atlantic Ocean. A fate no one could imagine."
Then, I read the blurb. I was hooked and HAD to know what would happen. Beneath is considered a young adult mystery and/or adventure. I like that definition. It leans on the side of almost fantasy/dystopian at some points just because it is sooooo different. Also, that cover is amazing! I would purchase this one on that alone.
I started this book yesterday morning (because I'm always behind on the ARC's I need to read), and I was hooked from the start. Chapter one literally dumps us right in the middle of the Atlanta Ocean - on a boat, at the start of what sounded like a pretty nasty storm. From there, so much happened that blew my mind, I didn't know what to think or believe. This book is so different from anything I've read before, and I've read a lot over the years.
I was able to be surprised, captured in the moments where these characters weren't sure if they would ever survive, or get out of their dire situation. There was so much going on, that I wasn't sure how easy it would be to follow, but since the book is written in third person, it helped me get a pretty rounded out view of everything, the character development and the science seemed to be there - although I am not sure if the science is all correct. That is not my forte.
I did find some moments between Colin and Stella to be a bit awkward and misplaced, but honestly, I am not sure I would act any better given their circumstances. I would of been doing all I can not to think about where we were as well. There was some light-hearted romance there, but nothing really resolved by the end. This is said to be first in the series though, so I look forward to what comes next. I still have so many questions.
brianas's review against another edition
4.0
I was hesitant to read this book but I finished it within a day if that tells you much. Its so interesting, the journey that they went through. Definitely makes you think about all the unknowns within our world. Excited to read the next book and see if Colin and Stella are successful in their search.
harasnicole's review
3.0
Thank you to Barclay Publicity for giving me an advanced copy to review. My opinions are my own.
This book was interesting, I'll give it that. I don't read much Fantasy as it is, so for me, I've never read anything like this about a girl who goes on a sailing trip with her best friend's family and they get into an accident that capsizes the boat. And not only that, but every one of them, all five of them, get swept up in some kind of . . . not a whirlpool, but I fail to find the correct word. A channel, maybe? Anyway, they get caught up in it and end up being dragged down to approximately 2,000 feet below the Atlantic Ocean, washing up in some grotto that you soon find out is "affectionately" named the "Underworld" with a river called Styx.
It's not really the Underworld, by the way. They just didn't know what else to call it, and really, the name fits. The only thing it was missing was Hades and Persephone and Cerberus, the three-headed dog. But that's not that kind of a story. This story is more or less an introduction, because this is the first book in a series and the ending is more or less a cliffhanger.
I will admit that this book did take me awhile to really get into, because the setup is kind of slow to start, but at the same time, I get it. I did mention that this is essentially an introduction, so the focus is more on the world-building and the characters and the plot. There is a romance between Stella (the main character) and her best friend's older brother, Colin. I wasn't too impressed with their relationship, however, because I didn't feel the chemistry between them (and Stella, not gonna lie, pissed me off with her constant second-guessing of his feelings. I get being insecure in the face of new love, but damn); their relationship, as slow-burn as it is, fell flat for me. I'm hoping it'll be more fleshed out in the sequel.
There's a deviance from Stella's point-of-view twice, to peek in at Jill (the BFF) and her budding relationship with a boy who's been in the "Underworld" for, I think it was 20 years? I can't remember, but he was 13 when fell off a boat and sank, so maybe it was more like five years beneath (see what I did there?). Stella and Jill are college freshman, Colin's a college sophomore. Anyway, I didn't really see the point of focusing at Jill at any point in the story, even if one of her chapters was warranted. She, herself, doesn't really add anything, in my opinion, and I couldn't understand why she and Stella were even friends.
Back to the story as a whole, though. When you're down in this underwater world for an extended period of time, you start to adapt, and if you adapt badly, then you become a kind of beast because of carbon dioxide poisoning. Colin and Stella snoop around this new world every night when everyone's asleep, and each night they discover something different to ask Etienne and Frederic about. Etienne likes to keep things close to the chest, but Frederic is more forthcoming with his answers. Etienne also has a short fuse, and multiple times I got the feeling that he's seconds away from "changing" because of the flashes that Stella saw in his eyes, but I guess somehow he's able to suppress it, so that'll be an interesting angle if that is, in fact, the case.
The cast of characters is small, and I'm still not sure about their part in this story, but I am definitely still interested in seeing where this story goes because with an ending like that, it left me feeling like this:
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
This book was interesting, I'll give it that. I don't read much Fantasy as it is, so for me, I've never read anything like this about a girl who goes on a sailing trip with her best friend's family and they get into an accident that capsizes the boat. And not only that, but every one of them, all five of them, get swept up in some kind of . . . not a whirlpool, but I fail to find the correct word. A channel, maybe? Anyway, they get caught up in it and end up being dragged down to approximately 2,000 feet below the Atlantic Ocean, washing up in some grotto that you soon find out is "affectionately" named the "Underworld" with a river called Styx.
It's not really the Underworld, by the way. They just didn't know what else to call it, and really, the name fits. The only thing it was missing was Hades and Persephone and Cerberus, the three-headed dog. But that's not that kind of a story. This story is more or less an introduction, because this is the first book in a series and the ending is more or less a cliffhanger.
I will admit that this book did take me awhile to really get into, because the setup is kind of slow to start, but at the same time, I get it. I did mention that this is essentially an introduction, so the focus is more on the world-building and the characters and the plot. There is a romance between Stella (the main character) and her best friend's older brother, Colin. I wasn't too impressed with their relationship, however, because I didn't feel the chemistry between them (and Stella, not gonna lie, pissed me off with her constant second-guessing of his feelings. I get being insecure in the face of new love, but damn); their relationship, as slow-burn as it is, fell flat for me. I'm hoping it'll be more fleshed out in the sequel.
There's a deviance from Stella's point-of-view twice, to peek in at Jill (the BFF) and her budding relationship with a boy who's been in the "Underworld" for, I think it was 20 years? I can't remember, but he was 13 when fell off a boat and sank, so maybe it was more like five years beneath (see what I did there?). Stella and Jill are college freshman, Colin's a college sophomore. Anyway, I didn't really see the point of focusing at Jill at any point in the story, even if one of her chapters was warranted. She, herself, doesn't really add anything, in my opinion, and I couldn't understand why she and Stella were even friends.
Back to the story as a whole, though. When you're down in this underwater world for an extended period of time, you start to adapt, and if you adapt badly, then you become a kind of beast because of carbon dioxide poisoning. Colin and Stella snoop around this new world every night when everyone's asleep, and each night they discover something different to ask Etienne and Frederic about. Etienne likes to keep things close to the chest, but Frederic is more forthcoming with his answers. Etienne also has a short fuse, and multiple times I got the feeling that he's seconds away from "changing" because of the flashes that Stella saw in his eyes, but I guess somehow he's able to suppress it, so that'll be an interesting angle if that is, in fact, the case.
The cast of characters is small, and I'm still not sure about their part in this story, but I am definitely still interested in seeing where this story goes because with an ending like that, it left me feeling like this:
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
superspecs's review
3.0
So much set up with so little pay off.
The world building in this book is so good. There are so many mysteries and odd happenings that set up what I hope was going to be a thrilling climax, only for nothing to happen. None of the mysteries were solved, there were no confrontations with any of the shady characters and the escape goes off without a hitch. WHAT!?! I wish the author had spent less time on the romance and more time confronting all the creepy things that are happening. I'm so frustrated.
I know there's a sequel, but it appears to still be in the POV of Stella and bf who's name I don't remember even though they escaped!
I know there's a sequel, but it appears to still be in the POV of Stella and bf who's name I don't remember even though they escaped!
thecalicobooks's review
4.0
Review originally posted on The Calico Books.
*I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to the author and Barclay Publicity!*
Going into this book, I didnāt know what to expect. I havenāt read Maureen Millerās other books, and so I had no idea what I would think of her writing style. However, I was very intrigued by the plot, and that absolutely gorgeous cover, so I gave it a chance. Iām so glad I did!
The first couple of chapters, I admit, I was confused what was happening. Beneath wastes no time getting to the the actual plot. I did appreciate that this book didnāt drag on before the story started. However, it almost happened too fast. The very first page floods you with action, and so, I didnāt even know who anyone was, and yet, everything was already happening. Once I got a couple chapters in though, I was able to figure out who was who, and what actually happened, and I was able to get into the story more and really enjoy it.
I found all of the characters really interesting, too. Stella made a great protagonist, and I loved the slow-burn romance between her and a certain someone! The characters in āthe Underworld,ā as they call it, were all really interesting, but left me wanting a little bit more. There were a few, especially, that left me wondering are they good? Are they bad? Iām not sure yet! This book is not scary, but there were actually times where I felt a bit spooked, because I just didnāt know what to expect or who to trust.
The whole setting was well done, and the descriptions of the cave really made me feel like I was there. The explanations of how they were able to live under the ocean seemed logical and well-explained enough for me, too!
I didnāt realize Beneath was going to be a series, until I finished the book. That ending totally hooked me, and now I cannot wait to read the sequel!
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable book. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, and things Iād like to see expanded upon, but hopefully, book two will help with that! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and mysterious YA adventure book.
*I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to the author and Barclay Publicity!*
Going into this book, I didnāt know what to expect. I havenāt read Maureen Millerās other books, and so I had no idea what I would think of her writing style. However, I was very intrigued by the plot, and that absolutely gorgeous cover, so I gave it a chance. Iām so glad I did!
The first couple of chapters, I admit, I was confused what was happening. Beneath wastes no time getting to the the actual plot. I did appreciate that this book didnāt drag on before the story started. However, it almost happened too fast. The very first page floods you with action, and so, I didnāt even know who anyone was, and yet, everything was already happening. Once I got a couple chapters in though, I was able to figure out who was who, and what actually happened, and I was able to get into the story more and really enjoy it.
I found all of the characters really interesting, too. Stella made a great protagonist, and I loved the slow-burn romance between her and a certain someone! The characters in āthe Underworld,ā as they call it, were all really interesting, but left me wanting a little bit more. There were a few, especially, that left me wondering are they good? Are they bad? Iām not sure yet! This book is not scary, but there were actually times where I felt a bit spooked, because I just didnāt know what to expect or who to trust.
The whole setting was well done, and the descriptions of the cave really made me feel like I was there. The explanations of how they were able to live under the ocean seemed logical and well-explained enough for me, too!
I didnāt realize Beneath was going to be a series, until I finished the book. That ending totally hooked me, and now I cannot wait to read the sequel!
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable book. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, and things Iād like to see expanded upon, but hopefully, book two will help with that! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and mysterious YA adventure book.
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