Blue Out Review Spotlight

 Looking for something in the teen/YA genre? Then this book will definitely grab your attention! Take a minute and check out my review for Miranda Storm's Blue Out! Prepare to get swept away! 

 The unthinkable has finally happened. An attack, a detonation of a powerful weapon over one of the polar ice caps has finally done it. The Earth has been brought to its knees, and the lives of humanity forever changed, and for some – destroyed forever. With the push of a button, the world has been remade – water now encompasses more of the world than ever before. Those with money and power? They are the ones who are able to live in safety. Have the best of everything, and look down on those below them who are less fortunate. The people without the power, money, and influence? The struggle for survival. Always casting fearful glances out to the open water. Wondering when will the next alarm go off signaling an approaching flood, signaling another – Blue Out.

Blue Out is the first book in Miranda Storm’s new young adult/ teen dystopian water world drama and this book will absolutely sweep you away within the first few pages. While the story unfolds in real-time, the authors take time to insert little tidbits of the past. You get glimpses of what has led to where the characters currently are. The tragedy that struck, and stole so many lives away in the main character’s lifetime as well. It’s tragic, and ultimately, something that you can see unfolding in a twisted reality.

The main character, Naya, has survived a previous Blue Out, but while she’s returned home, to the flood zone to look for something precious, she finds herself in danger. Another Blue Out is rushing in and she has no place to go or hide. But the Blue Out isn’t the only danger that she’s facing. There is a patrol out, and it’s one of Ararat Heights’s best – Aqua8. But it’s either taking the chance with crossing paths with an Aqua8 soldier or drowning in the Blue Out trapped inside a building. Decisions, decisions. Right? LOL!

Well, no matter what path Naya takes her life is about to change. For better or worse is a whole other question at the end of the day. Because who knew that she would accidentally discover that she’s a superior swimmer? So, the question is – what has been holding her back? When someone from Ararat Heights comes to take her away – why isn’t her mother surprised? Why can’t Naya have contact with her mother anymore? A whirlpool of questions, twists, and turns lie ahead for both you, the reader, and Naya as she now has to navigate this new “arena” that she is going to find herself in.

Naya as a character is an interesting one. She fully fits the mold of being shy, not wanting to make waves, to simply get by, and do what she has to do for not just her survival, but her mother’s as well. Naya goes through the typical trope of being the “new kid” and being picked on for being from a Flood Relief Shelter (FRS). It’s to be expected really, and the authors don’t disappoint on that point.

While Naya clings tightly to wanting to be accepted by those around her, you’ll find moments where you’re going to wish that she had more backbone. There are situations of where she’ll have the opportunity to walk away, but she chooses not to. Why? Well, fear is a heck of a motivator. You don’t want to be the one singled out, and then become the focus of the bullying that is being doled out to someone else. In those particular moments, I had to distance myself from wanting to get overly disappointed in Naya. Granted, yes, I wanted her to be stronger, tougher, and not so weak-willed, but the authors are making a point. There is a particular direction that they are taking the story, and so Naya needs to continue to hold a particular persona to get there.

The first half of this book will be focused on Naya simply trying to either fit in or just get by on a daily basis. She seems to have things pretty good with her “foster family.” Notice I said, “Pretty good.” All is not what it seems. So pay attention there. Just because someone smiles in your face doesn’t mean that they don’t have an ulterior motive beneath the surface. When the book hits a certain point though, things really shift into high gear. Naya has a ton of pressure on her, and you get the sense that something big is coming.

The authors really pump this book full of surprises. Some you will get a sense for and it will pull you to the edge of your seat with anticipation. You’re going to eagerly be wondering “When is this hint/clue going to be confirmed?” When it is – you’re going to whoop “I knew it!!” Others? You’re not going to see coming. At. All. Those are the elements that will keep you coming back for more when it comes to this novel.

Now, as for the ending of this book. Readers who hate cliffhangers...well, I wouldn’t necessarily say that there is a huge one with this book. Blue Out is going to leave you with questions, but I wouldn’t necessarily call this ending “an insane cliffhanger” that will leave you ranting and wanting to throw the book or your tablet. LOL! Trust me – I’ve read plenty of those. LOL! No, this is a soft cliffhanger that, like I said, will leave you curious as to what is going to come next.

Blue Out is very well written, and knowing that it was written by a group of authors, you’d never be able to tell. That’s just how fluid and flowing this novel is. If they didn’t explicitly say – “more than one person worked on this” I’d have never guessed. Job well done to the authors because this book flows beautifully. This book gives you just the right amount of dystopian, drama, a hint of romance, and the right amount of fantasy/science fiction to bring you a story that will stick with you after you’re done reading it.

Pros:

- Gripping storyline

- Engaging characters

- Plenty of twists, turns, and surprises

- Title ties into the story beautifully

- Leaves you eager for more

Cons:

(this is just me nitpicking at this point)

- Naya needed to focus more on what was important and less on trying to fit in.

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the authors who are Miranda Storm for the opportunity to read and review this book. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and I hope to be able to read for you again as you continue this series.