AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS
by
Kellye Abernathy
YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 296 pages
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
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“This is a night for being brave.”
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.
Jennie Reads Review
Diving into (yup, I could not resist!) the second installment of this captivating series was like returning to a familiar coastal town where the sea whispers secrets and emotions swirl like the tide. Having happily read the first book, I eagerly delved into this continuation.
This book starts almost a year after a pervasive illness has isolated the community and the residents, bringing with it all the facets of our own recent experiences. The story unfolds, concentrating on an exploration of the emotional landscape inhabited by its young members. While aspects of surfing are a bit softer in this installment, the ocean remains steadfast, shaping lives and echoing the turmoil within.
At the heart of the narrative is Lorelei, navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence at the tender age of fourteen alongside her younger brother Tad, whose perspective offers a unique lens through which to view the unfolding drama. Amidst the ebb and flow of secrets and teenage angst, the author deftly knits together a blanket of interconnected lives. This did require a bit of concentration to keep pace with the shifting points of view.
Yet, amidst the intricate web of relationships, a touch of magical realism adds an enchanting allure to the narrative, drawing readers deeper into the story’s embrace. Keep an eye out for Guardian as realism is not always accurate in a lot of this book.
With a satisfying conclusion that leaves just a hint of possibility lingering on the horizon, I eagerly anticipated the prospect of further adventures in this coastal haven.
This book serves as the perfect literary refuge for middle-schoolers and early high-school students, offering a rich tapestry of emotion and intrigue against the backdrop of coastal life. The blend of relatable characters and enchanting storytelling immerses readers in a world where the sea calls them to lose themselves in its depths.
Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!
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FABULOUS review — it mirrors the lyrical language the author uses in her writing. Gloriously evocative. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I also can’t wait to dive in!
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