Dark Tide

by Sean Rodman

Overview

A remote bay in the Pacific Northwest has held a secret for thousands of years…and that secret just woke up.

Kai is angry when he’s forced to join his new stepfather, Rick, on a research trip to Blind Bay. On a floating lab in the middle of nowhere. Rick, a marine biologist, is using sound waves to explore deep underwater caves. But they discover that the sound pulses have awakened something. Something that is now hunting them—an ancient predator from the depths of the caves. Soon the tide will turn, unleashing the creature out into the open ocean…and upon the world. Kai and his stepdad need to find a way to work together to stop the creature before the tide turns.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459837133
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	08/15/2023
Series:	Orca Anchor
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
Lexile:	400L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sean Rodman is the author of numerous books for young people, including One Last Job in the Orca Anchor line and The Bodyguard and Firewall in the Orca Soundings line. Sean is the executive director of Story Studio, a charity that inspires, educates and empowers youth to be great storytellers. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

Many teens will identify with the tension that often happens between stepparents and stepchildren. This book…can reinforce strategies that build cooperation, trust, and stronger family ties.”

Canadian Teacher Magazine

The premise is exciting and the fast pace will keep pages turning.”

Kirkus Reviews

If one is looking for a quick, thrilling tale, this book can be finished in a day or an extended reading session under the covers in the dark.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

Dark Tide brings a lot to the table…A solid hi-lo novel…that would make a great addition to a classroom library. Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Engaging and hooks readers from start to finish... Plot twists and turns are intriguing and add depth to the short novel. A great read for reluctant readers who enjoy action, adventure, and books dealing with cryptids. Recommended.”

School Library Journal

2023-07-13
A teen and his stepdad fight off a monster in this novel for reluctant readers.

Seventeen-year-old Kai Lee is not happy about going into the wilderness with his new stepfather, scientist Rick Ortiz. He doesn’t like Rick and is definitely not interested in spending two weeks helping him with his research despite his mom’s hope that the two of them will bond. Kai hates the floating research station and finds the dark water oppressive. Even worse, his phone has no reception. The only bright spot is that he got to take his dog, Alfie, along. Rick is investigating why the last underwater robot mapping some underwater caves vanished; he’s going to send another one into the water. However, it’s difficult for Rick to stay focused when Kai takes off running into the woods with Alfie and comes back telling a skeptical Rick that he was chased by a monster. When the monster returns, Rick has quite a shock, and he and Kai work on a plan to try to stop the monster from wreaking havoc. Kai has been justifiably angry since his father left his family, and some readers may identify with his anger management struggles and resentment toward Rick; others may find caring, well-intentioned Rick more sympathetic. Although the premise is exciting and the fast pace will keep pages turning, the emotional resolution happens too quickly to feel earned. Characters are minimally described; their names may cue ethnic diversity.

A mixed bag. (Fantasy thriller. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews