Written by Astrid Scholte
Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Romance
416 Pages
Published March 2020
R.R.P $19.99
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
416 Pages
Published March 2020
R.R.P $19.99
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Two sisters. One dangerous secret. Twenty-four hours to uncover the truth.
Seventeen year old Tempest was born into a world of water. The most skilled diver on the Equinox Reef, she searches drowned cities with her older sister Elysea, seeking out old world treasures to trade for Notes. After Elysea mysteriously drowns, Tempest scavenges the ruins alone, driven to collect enough Notes to buy her sister's life for 24 hours, and to finally learn the secret she had kept until her last breath.
However, once revived, Elysea convinces Tempest to break her out of the Palindromena research facility and they embark on a dangerous journey to discover the truth about their parents' death. But they're pursued by two Palindromena employees desperate to find them before Elysea's time is up, and to prevent them from uncovering the secrets behind the revival process and the true cost of restored lives.
Dead or living, everyone must pay the price.
The Great Waves decimated the planet, creating underwater graves as the cities were submerged. Tempest lives in a towering building upon the waves, exploring the ruins below the water to survive. It's been five years since her parents passed away, shortly before her sister Elysea drowned, grieving for the loss of her family.
Those who have drowned upon the water are retrieved, their bodies placed in a cryogenic state until their loved ones pay handsomely for one last day. The dead are awoken for twenty four hours and then put to rest once more. Tempe plans to revive her sister, believing Elysea is responsible for the death of their parents. Palindromena promises the lasting memory of a reunion with your loved one, a final goodbye for those who have been left behind. While the communities of the Equinox Reef live in apartments above the waves, Palindromena monopolises the small island upon the reef and for Lor, the facility provides a sense of solace and isolation. Hiding among the tanks that hold the deceased until they are revived by their families or discarded, Lor retreats into his own thoughts, of the friend he once lost and the survivor guilt he endures each day.
Tempe and Lor are both wonderful characters and not too dissimilar, both share a strong moral compass and analytical view of their world. Lor resides within the substructure of the Palindromena facility, the basement his respite from the unethical procedure of restoring lives. Lor is a gentle character, emotional and wears his heart on his sleeve. His thoughts are consumed of the guilt of losing his friend in a rock climbing accident, Lor survived and the guilt has caused him to live his life hidden among the dead, isolated and secluded from the world.
Tempe and Elysea are contrasting characters and although Tempe is angry a deeply feels what she believes is her sister's betrayal, the two siblings care for one another. Elysea is spirited and carefree and despite her current circumstances, wants to spend her final day experiencing the yearly Equinox festival, dancing and enjoying what little of her life remains. Through Elysea's experience, Tempe realises that she wasn't living but simply surviving and although Lor provides an attractive distraction, Tempe continues to place her sister's well being first and foremost.
Tempe and Elysea are contrasting characters and although Tempe is angry a deeply feels what she believes is her sister's betrayal, the two siblings care for one another. Elysea is spirited and carefree and despite her current circumstances, wants to spend her final day experiencing the yearly Equinox festival, dancing and enjoying what little of her life remains. Through Elysea's experience, Tempe realises that she wasn't living but simply surviving and although Lor provides an attractive distraction, Tempe continues to place her sister's well being first and foremost.
The Earth flooded in a historical disaster known as the Great Waves, land disappearing beneath the ocean and those who survived now live in salt laden highrise towers jutting from the sea. Relics from the Old World are now hidden below the waves, treasures looted by divers brave enough to endure the waves that decimated their world. The ocean has become a source to sustain communities, providing a livelihood for those living above the watery graveyards. The world building is eerily beautiful and one of my favourite aspects of The Vanishing Deep.
The world flooded and valuable land and resources disappearing beneath the sea. A frightfully prophetic world that raises discussion of environmental impact and global warming, issues rarely mentioned in young adult literature. At the centre of the narrative is the moral dilemma of life and playing God. Resurrection, only to spend the next twenty four hours isolated in a concrete room within the Palindromena facility. You can't leave and you need to lie your way through every conversation because they can't discover they've died. What isn't clear to the grieving loved ones, is how the process works. Without giving too much away, the how provided an intense urgency throughout the storyline which blended beautifully with the emotional impact of Tempe and Elysea's reunion, the secret surrounding the death of their parents and coming to terms with losing your sister all over again.
Lovingly imagined, atmospheric and beautifully portrayed, The Vanishing Deep is exquisite.
Thanks for sharing! I don't think I've read anything about this book before. It sounds like it was done really well, which is wonderful. Such a intriguing premise - the world being flooded. Definitely not outside the realm of possibility, which does make it scarier. I'm glad the characters were written well too. I think I'd enjoy all of them!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Such a beautiful book that raises discussion about grief and whether if you had the opportunity to spend one more day with your deceased loved one, would you take it? I don't think I would, it would be as though you're losing that person again.
DeleteThis looks lovely! I've seen it around, but didn't really know what it was about. It sounds like there's a really strong sibling relationship (which I love), but one that's also flawed. I'll definitely keep this one in mind when I'm looking for something new to read. :)
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?😷 💬
There's very little romance which I absolutely loved! You'll love this one, would love to see what you think of it!
DeleteFrom the worldbuilding, I don't know if this book is for me. But on the other hand, the potential in the sisters' relationship is too good to resist -- great review, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteThanks Verushka! The sisterly relationship is most definitely the focal point for The Vanishing Deep and it was so wonderfully written. I think you'll really enjoy their dynamic and adventure.
DeleteWow this is unique and it sounds like emotions will ruin high. I can definitely feel the urgency in all of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's such an amazing and exhilarating read Amber, you'll absolutely love this one!
DeleteSounds like an amazing world Scholte created, and it's fantastic that the author was able to do it so well. I will forever love a story between sisters, and this one sounds really complicated and seems to have quite a bit of emotional depth.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does! It also poses the questions surrounding playing god and if you could bring back a loved one, just for one day, would you? It's an amazing read and one that'll appeal to a wider range of readers as well.
DeleteOoh I wanted to read this! I love the sound of it- the highrises looming above the waves, diving for relics. and the ethical dilemma of the resurrectioning. I definitely need to get this!
ReplyDeleteYou most definitely do! It's brilliant and so well written, a massive page turner!
DeleteYour reviews always have me wanting to buy the books but especially this one. It sounds so interesting, from the world to the actual resurrection of the dead. It just sounds so interesting and the hint you give that the how of the resurrection is important really makes me want to find out what's happening with this one. Love that there is a strong sisterly bond (even if there is a sense of betrayal, at first). I don't even know what I would do with just 24 hours with someone. It's quite a thing to think about.
ReplyDeleteIt's an absolutely amazing read! I think you'll really enjoy this one, would love to see what you think of it!
DeleteI hope no one freezes and then wakes me up for a day lol
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great though - I especially love when YA is about sisters and not just romance focused.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Same Karen! There's plenty of young adult novels that are romance based and family is such a big part of our lives during those adolescent years. You'll enjoy this one Karen, can't wait to see what you think of it!
DeleteOOOH this sounds so good, Kelly! Sounds like such an interesting (and unique) premise for a book and tbh I need more sibling YA in my life. Definitely adding this to my tbr.
ReplyDeleteLara! How have you been darling? I couldn't agree more. I love books about siblings and although there's a smidge of romance in this one, it doesn't impact on the storyline. The sibling relationship is first and foremost. It's brilliant!
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