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First things first. I have to say up front that Tsunami Blue was a wickedly hard book to grade. On the one hand, the premise is unusual, the worldbuilding caught my interest, and I basically enjoyed the book. However, the book also features a few plot points that only a stronger reader than I could get through without snorting aloud, a way too simple resolution to a big problem, and some other rough spots.
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The premise of this novel starts off rather simply: Imagine what would happen if the huge 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami had merely marked the beginning of a great sea change. By 2023, vast portions of the planet have been submerged and society, at least in the lead characters’ known world, has collapsed. People live in isolation on various islands, and pirate-like groups called Runners harass the few civilized areas remaining.
Following the death of her parents in a tsunami, Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley grew up with her uncle, a feared Runner. After his brutal death at the hands of other Runners, Blue lived alone in what is left of the San Juan Islands off Washington. Unlike other people, Blue has a unique gift. The sea speaks to her, and she knows when the waves will come. She uses her talent for good, broadcasting warnings over shortwave radio. She also broadcasts hope to those people who survive, trying to keep herself and the unseen rest of civilization going.
Used to having only her dog for company, Blue’s world changes when she finds an unconscious stranger washed up on her beach. Determined to save him, she takes him to her home and cares for him. The scenes involving the revival of the stranger are only the beginning of an usually high number of scenes in which reasons other than sex are used to get characters naked and bodies described in vivid detail. However, even though this seemed a little much, I still enjoyed the worldbuilding enough to just go with it.
Shortly after taking in the stranger, Blue finds herself the target of Runners, and her only shot at survival comes as the recuperating Gabriel takes Blue out to a boat and sets sail. Given Gabriel’s look, his boat, and his access to luxuries unheard of in Blue’s world, Blue suspects she has been taken away by a Runner. Still, she thought Gabriel the most beautiful man she’d ever seen when she found him, and now that he’s recovered and she’s getting to know him, he is winning her heart.
Blue’s travels with Gabriel are frankly something of a mixed bag. Their world fascinated me. It’s dark and gritty, terrible things happen to people, animals are put in peril, and sometimes the hopelessness and violence feel overwhelming and frightening. Still, there’s just enough light to make the journey feel worthwhile. In addition, while the heroine has her bratty and TSTL moments, she’s basically a likable narrator and I didn’t mind being inside her head for the first-person narration of this book.
Tougher to swallow was the physical side of Blue and Gabriel’s courtship. Apparently, Gabriel must be hung like a horse so Blue tells us they will need to have various practice sessions to get her ready for the momentous occasion of having actual sex with him. I found this (unintentionally, I’m sure) hilarious, but I can see where others may have stronger reactions. In addition, the dialogue sometimes felt forced, as if Blue especially was trying too hard. And then there was the resolution of the great conflicts in the story – it was just too easy and felt a little coincidental.
Still, even with what I will acknowledge are significant flaws, I have to admit that I genuinely enjoyed this book. Tsunami Blue has heart and if the author develops more polished narrative skills to match, I suspect I will be liking her books in the future.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 04/05/10
Publication Date: 2010/04
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.