Undertow

This is a review for Undertow by Michael Buckley.
I gave this book ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 stars, I loved it.

First, we feared them. Then we fought them. Now they might be our only hope.  - See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/Undertow/9780544348257#sthash.4rtqfELt.dpuf

 "First we feared them, then we fought them, now they may be our only hope."

Lyric Walker was your average teenage girl, a little wild, a little rebellious and totally into boys, until 3 years ago when the world changed.  Thousands of 'Alpha' marched out of the ocean and set up camp on the beach at Coney Island.  At first there was wonder and awe at the new residents of Coney Island, after all it isn't every day that mermaids just show up on the beach.  The wonder and awe quickly turn to fear and hate when two vastly different cultures collide.  It's been three years since that day and now the Alpha are going to start school.  There are protests and riots and a media circus outside the school.  No one is happy, tensions are high and the military is permanently stationed in "the Zone."  Everyone is convinced that the Alpha are an invading force.  But what if they aren't?  What if there is something worse lurking in the ocean?

I really enjoyed this book after being initially skeptical.  It blew the typical alien invasion stories out of the water.  It has a cast of diverse characters, some you love, some you hate.  The beginning is a bit slow, there is a lot of set up to the story.  The Alpha have to be explained and Lyric's life before their arrival.  Once you get past that the story launches itself forward and drags the reader with it.  It is easy to get caught up in the story and difficult to put the book down once you are caught in it.  I hit the last page and was immediately annoyed that the next book is not yet published and I will have to wait to find out what happens next!

This book touches on a lot of very serious issues, abuse, bullying, racism, prejudice, corrupt politicians and blackmail.  Each issue is dealt with in a proper manner.  Lyric is an excellent tool for reaffirming things that kids have been taught all their lives, report abuse, stand up to bullies, don't judge someone on their appearance etc.  This book doesn't sugar coat things though, it faces the fact that sometimes there isn't anything the police can do, sometimes an abuser gets let out of jail and comes right back to abuse his victim some more.  There are a lot of nasty people in the world, but there are also a lot of good ones.  This book reminds teens that even if the police can't help you can find a friend or an adult that you trust and get help from them.

I recommend this book to fans of sci-fi and paranormal books.  I also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good well written story about teenagers and to anyone who loves an angsty relationship story.

I was given a copy of this book by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books in exchange for an honest review.

 First, we feared them. Then we fought them. Now they might be our only hope.  - See more at: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/Undertow/9780544348257#sthash.4rtqfELt.dpufFirst