Title: Tsunami Blue
Author: Gayle Ann Williams
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Company
Publication Date: 30 March 2010
Pages: 290 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
REVIEWED BY LAURA
RATING: 7/10
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
With her badass rain boots, her faithful dog, and the ability to predict the monster tsunamis that have reduced the US to a series of islands, Kathryn O’Malley isn’t afraid of much. Cut off from all society, she takes to the airwaves as Tsunami Blue, hoping to save something of humanity as the world around her crumbles. But Blue should be afraid—because her message reaches the wrong ears.
Now she’s the target of ruthless pirates known as Runners who want to use her special talents for their own profiteering—as soon as they can find her. Blue’s only shot at survival lies with the naked stranger who washes up on her rocky beach. A man who might just be working for Runners himself. Torn between suspicion and attraction, the two will have to navigate a surging tide of danger and deceit if they hope to stay alive.
REVIEW:
‘Tsunami Blue’ is set in an alternative future. We all remember the terrible tsunami that hit Phuket in 2004. Well, in this world this was the first of many devastating waves to plunder the globe. The world as we know it is destroyed, much of it now underwater and society as we know it has crumbled into lawlessness.
Most of the seas are run by Runners. Pirates to you and me. Ruthless, barbaric men who have little regard for human life and think only of their own empires and survival.
Kathryn O’Malley, known as Tsunami Blue has a gift, or a curse depending on how you look at it. The sea speaks to her. She knows when the next wave is going to hit and where. She uses this gift to help others. Broadcasting the next wave’s location over an old fashioned radio in the hope that people will hear her and move to safety.
While many people think of her as a saviour, there are others that think her gift is evil. Then there are the Runners. The group that own Tsunami Blue would rule the seas, and they will stop at nothing to possess her.
Because of this Tsunami Blue lives in hiding, with nothing more than her faithful dog Max for company. Raised by her uncle, a Runner himself she’s under no illusion of their ruthlessness. But, in thanks to this upbringing she also knows how to look after herself.
Then, one evening a handsome stranger washes up on her island. Barely alive, Blue decides to save him worrying she may very well regret the decision later. But she soon discovers that Gabriel is a Runner, with a separate group of Runners fast on his tail. Runners intent on possessing her. If she’s to survive she needs to trust Gabriel so that they can both flee for safety.
When I was reading the first chapter of this book, I thought wow, I’m going to love this. With its dark, dystopian, futuristic setting and fantastically gutsy heroine. The setting of this book is brilliantly drawn, and you can see the world as if you were living and breathing in it yourself.
Blue is one tough heroine. Having lived on her own since she was thirteen, she knows how to survive. The terror and loneliness of this survival is depicted with a sharp edge, and you’re left under no illusion as to how dark and at times violent this survival has been. The first pages of this book have you gripped and they don’t stop turning once you’ve started.
The one thing that let’s this story down is the relationship between Gabriel and Blue. Inevitably Blue does not trust Gabriel. He is a man of contrasts. A fierce fighter and a Runner, but caring and compassionate at the same time. The chemistry builds between nicely and you route for them to end up together as you would in any romance. But right up until the end even when Gabriel has proved himself time and time again to Blue she doesn’t trust him. Just as she’s beginning to something will happen and she doesn’t trust him again. This became a repeated theme in the book and it frustrated me a little.
VERDICT:
This is a superbly drawn book with a compelling dystopian setting. While I did have a few issues with the relationship between Blue and Gabriel, I would still not hesitate to recommend it.
A great read.
SOURCE: This is from Laura’s personal library.
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7 Comments
Ooh, I like! It's definitely a new concept, and pirates in an alternative future? I'm in! Although I totally get why you're frustrated at the romance bit.
Great review!
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@Dazzling Mage the futuristic setting is great and it really was a fab book. It was just the do I trust him, don't I that was a tinsy bit annoying, but I would not hesitate to recommend
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I also enjoyed Tsunami Blue. It was pretty fast paced. And like you, it had me turning the pages. Without giving away details, the biggest problem I had was the ending which left me unfulfilled. But by then, the book was pretty much over in the next couple of flips.
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I've had my eye on this one for a while – it does sound good with the pirates! Think I will definitely give this one a try.
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Ooooooo sounds gooooooood! FAB review
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@ReenaJacobs it was definitely a page turner. I can see what you're saying about the ending. I did wonder if it was going to be a start of a series.
@BookChickCity the pirates were good, although they weren't good pirates if you know what I mean lol?
@Juju thank you
I'm glad you enjoyed it
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It sounds good and a bit different! I hadn't heard much about it but I'm adding it to my wishlist now. Thanks!
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