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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I was at the library for the 3rd time this week picking up a book I had on hold for my oldest son. I can’t go in and not look around for a bit to see if I find something. I saw Underwater propped up on the top of the shelf being featured as a staff pick and debated between it and another book that I’ll probably pick up this evening (Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate).
Underwater is the story of a high school junior named Morgan who never leaves her apartment. She hasn’t always been a shut-in, but after a shooting at her school the prior year, she is afraid to go outside. Morgan takes classes online and has a routine of what she does and eats everyday that she doesn’t deviate from. She wears pajamas because she sees no point in putting on real clothes. Morgan lives with her mom and her younger brother Ben (he’s 5), her parents divorced due to her dad’s alcohol abuse getting out of control following his last deployment.
Morgan was at the school the day of the shooting and feels like she played a part in it happening. You don’t find out what this is until around the midpoint of the book. She has a therapist named Brenda who comes to her apartment twice a week to work with her. Brenda was a good character. I felt like she was well portrayed and not a pushover. She didn’t let Morgan get away with anything but she didn’t try to force her to do things she was uncomfortable with either.
A new family moves next door and this jumpstarts Morgan’s interest in finally rejoining the world. That’s because one of these new neighbors is a cute boy her age named Evan (isn’t it always because of a new boy?). Evan is from Hawaii and moved to California so his mom could help his aunt out at her restaurant. She needs help because her son was killed in the school shooting and she’s not handling it well. Evan is a nice guy and I feel like he handled everything really well when he found out the issues that Morgan was dealing with. I read one review where the writer was irritated with him and said he was only around when there was something in it for him and didn’t like the fact that he got pissed when Morgan ignored him for a weekend and was petty and ignored her back. Hello…he’s a teenage boy.
I thought the storyline was unique. I haven’t read anything like this before. I think the author handled the subject matter very nicely, it wasn’t discussed in great detail, mostly in flashbacks. The book was well written and I enjoyed the characters (Ben especially). It was a quick read, I finished it in a couple of hours.
Underwater is the story of a high school junior named Morgan who never leaves her apartment. She hasn’t always been a shut-in, but after a shooting at her school the prior year, she is afraid to go outside. Morgan takes classes online and has a routine of what she does and eats everyday that she doesn’t deviate from. She wears pajamas because she sees no point in putting on real clothes. Morgan lives with her mom and her younger brother Ben (he’s 5), her parents divorced due to her dad’s alcohol abuse getting out of control following his last deployment.
Morgan was at the school the day of the shooting and feels like she played a part in it happening. You don’t find out what this is until around the midpoint of the book. She has a therapist named Brenda who comes to her apartment twice a week to work with her. Brenda was a good character. I felt like she was well portrayed and not a pushover. She didn’t let Morgan get away with anything but she didn’t try to force her to do things she was uncomfortable with either.
A new family moves next door and this jumpstarts Morgan’s interest in finally rejoining the world. That’s because one of these new neighbors is a cute boy her age named Evan (isn’t it always because of a new boy?). Evan is from Hawaii and moved to California so his mom could help his aunt out at her restaurant. She needs help because her son was killed in the school shooting and she’s not handling it well. Evan is a nice guy and I feel like he handled everything really well when he found out the issues that Morgan was dealing with. I read one review where the writer was irritated with him and said he was only around when there was something in it for him and didn’t like the fact that he got pissed when Morgan ignored him for a weekend and was petty and ignored her back. Hello…he’s a teenage boy.
I thought the storyline was unique. I haven’t read anything like this before. I think the author handled the subject matter very nicely, it wasn’t discussed in great detail, mostly in flashbacks. The book was well written and I enjoyed the characters (Ben especially). It was a quick read, I finished it in a couple of hours.
Emotional and very well written. I would have like the details of that day though.
This is a good read on a tough (but important) subject. The tension feels true, and Morgan's progress feels genuine. Reichardt also uses beautiful metaphors throughout.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I requested this book from MyKindaBook/Macmillan, so thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy!
So this book is about Morgan who is a survivor of a school shooting and now suffers from PTSD. She is afraid to leave the house so she stays at home, continues school online and just doesn't leave her home. The book follows her dealing with her PTSD and her trying to get better.
While this book and the story weren't anything spectacular or profound, I still enjoyed it so much. There were a few things that made this book so amazing in my opinion. For example the characters in general; they felt like real people. Since Morgan never leaves her home and doesn't do any exercise, she gains a bit of extra weight. Evan (the love interest) has pimples. These are quite minor details but I think things like this are important in YA.
I also loved the family dynamic. Morgan lives with her mother and younger brother and they're relationship with each other was so nice to read about. Morgan's mother plays such an important part in her life and the way the talked with each other and handled certain situations was amazing.
The relationship between Morgan and her therapist Brenda was one of my favorite things. Often therapists are demonized in YA and the fact that Morgan accepts the help from Brenda and works together with her and listens to her and trusts her was wonderful.
Yet another thing I absolutely loved about this book was that Morgan made progress in healing (mostly) by herself. When the love interest Evan was introduced I was afraid her healing process and things would be focused around him. While he did support her, the focus wasn't on him or their relationship and I LOVED that.
There were some things that I didn't like but they were so minor and overall I still really, really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!
So this book is about Morgan who is a survivor of a school shooting and now suffers from PTSD. She is afraid to leave the house so she stays at home, continues school online and just doesn't leave her home. The book follows her dealing with her PTSD and her trying to get better.
While this book and the story weren't anything spectacular or profound, I still enjoyed it so much. There were a few things that made this book so amazing in my opinion. For example the characters in general; they felt like real people. Since Morgan never leaves her home and doesn't do any exercise, she gains a bit of extra weight. Evan (the love interest) has pimples. These are quite minor details but I think things like this are important in YA.
I also loved the family dynamic. Morgan lives with her mother and younger brother and they're relationship with each other was so nice to read about. Morgan's mother plays such an important part in her life and the way the talked with each other and handled certain situations was amazing.
The relationship between Morgan and her therapist Brenda was one of my favorite things. Often therapists are demonized in YA and the fact that Morgan accepts the help from Brenda and works together with her and listens to her and trusts her was wonderful.
Yet another thing I absolutely loved about this book was that Morgan made progress in healing (mostly) by herself. When the love interest Evan was introduced I was afraid her healing process and things would be focused around him. While he did support her, the focus wasn't on him or their relationship and I LOVED that.
There were some things that I didn't like but they were so minor and overall I still really, really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!
Baca buku ini, sekilas aku teringat buku dengan tema serupa yang berjudul 'Hate List'. Bedanya, Underwater jauh lebih ringan dan lebih heartwarming.
Underwater mengisahkan tentang Morgan, remaja yang mengalami trauma pasca kejadian mengerikan di sekolahnya. Akibat kejadian itu, Morgan tidak pernah mau keluar rumah. Dia kehilangan minat terhadap segala sesuatu yang disukainya dan terus mengurung diri. Suatu hari, tetangga barunya yang bernama Evan datang dan mengetuk pintu rumah Morgan. Evan mengingatkannya pada segala hal yang disukainya, salah satunya air. Tanpa gadis itu sadari, Evan adalah salah satu pembuka jalannya untuk melawan rasa takutnya dan hidup normal kembali.
Aku suka kemistri para tokoh di buku ini. Ibu Morgan, meski lelah dengan beribu beban di bahunya, dia selalu ada untuk anak gadisnya. Lalu ada Ben, sosok adik kecil yang lucu dan pintar. Ada juga Brenda yang siap mendengarkan cerita-cerita Morgan dengan sabar. Kemudian Evan, si cowok manis tetangga sebelah yang menumbuhkan perasaan nyaman di hati Morgan dengan pertemanan baru mereka. Aku suka melihat orang-orang di sekitar Morgan begitu suportif terhadapnya dan selalu sabar menghadapinya ketika dia mulai bertindak 'tidak masuk akal'.
Alur buku ini cukup cepat. Penulisannya pun simpel dan tidak bertele-tele sehingga enak dibaca dan tidak membosankan. Sudut pandang orang pertama yang digunakan membuat pembaca benar-benar mampu memahami apa yang dirasakan tokoh Morgan setiap harinya, dan semua masalah yang diderita gadis itu tidak semudah kelihatannya. Penulis menuliskan trauma yang dialami Morgan dengan sangat baik.
5 bintang lah pokoknya, bikin kepengin baca buku lain yang sejenis juga.
Underwater mengisahkan tentang Morgan, remaja yang mengalami trauma pasca kejadian mengerikan di sekolahnya. Akibat kejadian itu, Morgan tidak pernah mau keluar rumah. Dia kehilangan minat terhadap segala sesuatu yang disukainya dan terus mengurung diri. Suatu hari, tetangga barunya yang bernama Evan datang dan mengetuk pintu rumah Morgan. Evan mengingatkannya pada segala hal yang disukainya, salah satunya air. Tanpa gadis itu sadari, Evan adalah salah satu pembuka jalannya untuk melawan rasa takutnya dan hidup normal kembali.
Aku suka kemistri para tokoh di buku ini. Ibu Morgan, meski lelah dengan beribu beban di bahunya, dia selalu ada untuk anak gadisnya. Lalu ada Ben, sosok adik kecil yang lucu dan pintar. Ada juga Brenda yang siap mendengarkan cerita-cerita Morgan dengan sabar. Kemudian Evan, si cowok manis tetangga sebelah yang menumbuhkan perasaan nyaman di hati Morgan dengan pertemanan baru mereka. Aku suka melihat orang-orang di sekitar Morgan begitu suportif terhadapnya dan selalu sabar menghadapinya ketika dia mulai bertindak 'tidak masuk akal'.
Alur buku ini cukup cepat. Penulisannya pun simpel dan tidak bertele-tele sehingga enak dibaca dan tidak membosankan. Sudut pandang orang pertama yang digunakan membuat pembaca benar-benar mampu memahami apa yang dirasakan tokoh Morgan setiap harinya, dan semua masalah yang diderita gadis itu tidak semudah kelihatannya. Penulis menuliskan trauma yang dialami Morgan dengan sangat baik.
5 bintang lah pokoknya, bikin kepengin baca buku lain yang sejenis juga.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven't read a book with voice and characterization this good since Catcher in the Rye. Luckily, Morgan is a far more likeable character than Holden.
In addition, this is a fantastic and beautifully written picture of severe PTSD, an engaging reaction to emotional trauma and one that inspired more than a few teary revelations from me.
I don't think I could recommend this book highly enough.
In addition, this is a fantastic and beautifully written picture of severe PTSD, an engaging reaction to emotional trauma and one that inspired more than a few teary revelations from me.
I don't think I could recommend this book highly enough.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Morgan's life hadn't been the same since October 15th, when her school was attacked by armed person, killing students and teachers. Morgan is trying to recover from this event and get on with her life, but something is holding her back, and she physically can't leave her house. The thought of stepping outside her door brings on panic attacks. Now, her days are spent going to school online, watching TV, and eating the same food for dinner.
Underwater was a book that drew me in for several reasons, not only am I in love with the UK cover, I also needed to know what was going on, what event lead to Morgan unable to leave her house. When I began reading I was drawn into Morgan's mundane life, day after day she does the same thing, her only chance in this monotonous routine is a visit from a therapist who is trying to help Morgan.
Morgan lives with her Mum and younger brother, her Dad not really in the picture. Morgan's Mum does all she can to help her out, and her brother is thankfully too young to really understand what is happening. He is so sweet in how he behaves towards Morgan, he knows she is sick and does his best to make her feel OK. His need to have her at it school performance and not understanding her situation really makes him say the cutest things.
I liked the addition of Evan, a new neighbour, and how he has a connection with Morgan, but lets her tell her story on her own time. He is supportive and understanding, and may have been an ass at one point or another, but is one of the people who help Morgan when she needs it.
Underwater is a book that draws you in, enables you to become emotionally invested in Morgan and her situation, but also gives you an ending you deserve. Underwater made me really think about Morgan's problem and how hard it can be. It also made me smile and cry.
Final Verdict
Underwater is a book you have to pick up, not only for the gorgeous cover, but also for the story inside.
Underwater was a book that drew me in for several reasons, not only am I in love with the UK cover, I also needed to know what was going on, what event lead to Morgan unable to leave her house. When I began reading I was drawn into Morgan's mundane life, day after day she does the same thing, her only chance in this monotonous routine is a visit from a therapist who is trying to help Morgan.
Morgan lives with her Mum and younger brother, her Dad not really in the picture. Morgan's Mum does all she can to help her out, and her brother is thankfully too young to really understand what is happening. He is so sweet in how he behaves towards Morgan, he knows she is sick and does his best to make her feel OK. His need to have her at it school performance and not understanding her situation really makes him say the cutest things.
"It's okay if you clap the loudest. I won't be embarrassed. I want you to come."
I liked the addition of Evan, a new neighbour, and how he has a connection with Morgan, but lets her tell her story on her own time. He is supportive and understanding, and may have been an ass at one point or another, but is one of the people who help Morgan when she needs it.
Underwater is a book that draws you in, enables you to become emotionally invested in Morgan and her situation, but also gives you an ending you deserve. Underwater made me really think about Morgan's problem and how hard it can be. It also made me smile and cry.
Final Verdict
Underwater is a book you have to pick up, not only for the gorgeous cover, but also for the story inside.