Mara’s life with a small island community has become very precarious with most of the world now submerged due to global warming. The family make it to one of the “New Worlds” constructed to house the relocated refugees. However there are sinister elements which Mara discovers (slavery), and coupled with the belief by some of the New Worlders that she is destined to save them, (most refugees end up outside the walls as permanent boat people) she makes it her goal to find another land.

The action moves along at an addictive pace. The strong female character and alternative societal themes are well defined, and the plot leads nicely into the sequel “Zenith”. Years 8 to 10 would enjoy this novel.

For those interested there is information on the dystopian novel genre here and numerous web sites on global warming provide a bit of background context.

Review by Phil

image by Doug88888