This book was fantastic! It reminded me of the Twilight Saga but it was so much better. I thought the characters in Twilight lacked personality and depth but this book offered so much more. Maura, her mother Caelyn, and her boyfriend Ron were all delightful, quite complex, quirky, and flawed in the most wonderful ways. Although this book is obviously written for teenagers and I’m a lot older, I still thoroughly enjoyed Rising Tide: Dark Innocence. It's perfect for readers who are looking for a great vampire story with a unique plot and fascinating characters. I was pleased to see it was not full of long, repulsive passages full of horror and gore, so I thought it was also a great book for very young adolescents. Here are just two of the reasons I liked this book so much: Maura’s subtle physical and mental transformation into a vampire made this book highly credible and I also loved the way Maura and Ron developed a strong emotional connection which seemed spiritual, even supernatural. I highly recommend Rising Tide: Dark Innocence and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the sequel Undertow: Death’s Twilight.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Shop this series
See full series- Kindle Price:£8.06By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Shop this series
There are 3 books in this series.
Kindle Price:
£8.06
By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
In this series (3 books)
Page 1 of 1Start Again
Customers who read this book also read
Page 1 of 1 Start again
About the author
Dark Innocence, this truly is.
Being a fan of all things paranormal I'm always looking out for something a little different. Several friends recommended this so I downloaded myself a copy. I knew it was going to be different from the others after checking out the cover art. Very unique graphics rather than some sexy vampiric models draped seductively over the page (don't get me wrong I love those images too but we do get a bit bogged down at times). So I delved deep within the pages and became hooked. Its hard to say why without giving anything away but this story really flowed for me, I just had to keep reading. The 'Dark Innocence' part of the title is more than appropriate with Minks mother (sorry but liked this little pet name better than Maura) seemingly wishing to keep her daughter as an innocent child. Being very secretive, and for a very good reason (dragged out to the very end) not allowing her daughter to mature into something that is inevitable. This book covers some issues that many growing teens will experience such as peer pressure and finding where you fit into the world. Making new friends and being able to accept their help in times of trouble. I hope I haven't said too much? I recommend this highly for teens & young adults or even old fans of paranormal like me. Don't take my word for it try it for yourself.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2021Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Rising Tide is an intriguing paranormal romance that is somewhat different from all the other high school vampire novels. That unique element kept me turning the pages.
The Opening
The first chapter opens with an interesting hook and quickly establishes Maura as a sympathetic character. It also features an intriguing end that hints there’s more going on that we realize.
The Characters
Maura is an instantly sympathetic character because of the imposed move introduced in the first paragraph. As the first chapter progresses, it’s clear she’s an underdog and also suffering from a debilitating skin condition, which helps to increase the readers’ interest. In later parts of the book, we become more invested in her as she has more and more to lose.
Mom (Caelyn) is a complex and interesting character. There are elements of her character that I find illogical within the context of the story. For example, the name she gave Maura and the reasons for that as well as the reasons for her depression and anxiety.
Initially, it all seems to make sense. However, by the end of this book, some of the reasoning has been eroded to the extent that her initial personality becomes somewhat implausible. I may be too harsh about this. There are reasons for Caelyn to feel as she does. It’s just that the reasons are not nearly as good toward the end.
Katie Parker and her brother are well introduced and sketched. In some ways, she’s the most interesting character. She is a caricature of the popular girl in school, but I liked her backstory.
Ron is cute. I like the little things he does for Maura and his faithfulness toward his mom. Through his interaction with Maura, speaking about music and other interests, both characters are made more three-dimensional with a distinct life beyond the plot.
The Plot
For much of the novel, the plot follows the countdown archetype. Maura and her mom are moving to Canada, and there is a set future date when this must happen. Much of the conflict and tension revolves around the timing of this move and its implications in Maura’s life.
Also, it is clear that Maura is going through interesting hormonal changes in this coming-of-age tale. But said changes are a little more extreme than average. Running in tandem with these changes we have Maura’s serious health issues. These also subscribe to the countdown archetype in that set times are given for events to occur, and we’re working toward them.
The health-scare approach to the paranormal elements is unique. I like the novelty of how Maura’s supernatural biology and abilities are introduced slowly throughout the story. In that way, there are many similarities to Stephen King’s Carrie. However, I did find some elements of the health scare conflict frustrating.
It becomes clear pretty soon that mom is hiding something, and I felt throughout that if Mom would just be open and transparent, most of the tension would disappear. That would be a good thing if it were not for the fact that Mom’s withholding of the information is illogical. The longer she keeps secrets, the more dangerous the situation becomes.
There are a few tiny hiccups in the plot. For example, Maura receives a dentist appointment before she gets her health card after it’s been stressed that she can’t made any appointments or take any medical tests until after she gets said card.
Another issue is regarding Maura’s newfound mental abilities. At the end of her stay in Indiana, her abilities help her to stay ahead of the curve in school. In Vancouver, it feels as though they all suddenly disappear.
I find it implausible that Shane doesn’t know about Ron’s extended family and situation when they’ve been friends their entire life. I also don’t much like the simple resolution of the final relationship conflict. It just seems too easy.
The resolution of the health scare plot line feels rather deus ex machina. Most of the remaining conflict is resolved by an external agency that is only a background element of the preceding story. However, to be fair, said agency is well foreshadowed, so it doesn’t come entirely out of the blue.
The ending does generate a nice hook encouraging the reader to continue on to the next book. I wonder what will happen to Maura next and how she will deal with her relationship with Ron. It’s all very intriguing.
The Setting
The physical setting is well sketched. The magic system is pretty cool and is well introduced through the changes in Maura and small incidents that occur throughout the story.
The Prose
Generally, the prose is clear and this story is successfully shown rather than told. There are a few small things I didn’t like.
The story as a whole feels slow paced to me. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but it just seems to drag a little between the action scenes.
I do like that the paranormal elements are small and scattered and introduced slowly, but not the long gaps between where relatively little seems to happen. The relationship is definitely slow burn and not your typical teen-hormone-driven fast-paced romance.
Within Maura’s first person narrative, I don’t like that she calls her mom Caelyn. If she calls her mom Caelyn in dialogue, I would be fine with it. However, if she calls her mom “Mom” when addressing her or when speaking with other people about her, then she should also call her Mom in her thoughts. Otherwise, it distracts me from the story and somewhat spoils my immersion.
My Opinion
I enjoyed the growing relationship between Maura and Ron, the magic system, and Maura’s slow discovery of herself. However, I would have preferred a faster pace and a better reason for Mom to keep secrets. I am going to rate this YA paranormal romance 7 out of 10, which will translate to 4 out of 5 on Goodreads and Amazon.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 April 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Being a fan of all things paranormal I'm always looking out for something a little different. Several friends recommended this so I downloaded myself a copy. I knew it was going to be different from the others after checking out the cover art. Very unique graphics rather than some sexy vampiric models draped seductively over the page (don't get me wrong I love those images too but we do get a bit bogged down at times).
So I delved deep within the pages and became hooked. Its hard to say why without giving anything away but this story really flowed for me, I just had to keep reading. The 'Dark Innocence' part of the title is more than appropriate with Minks mother (sorry but liked this little pet name better than Maura) seemingly wishing to keep her daughter as an innocent child. Being very secretive, and for a very good reason (dragged out to the very end) not allowing her daughter to mature into something that is inevitable.
This book covers some issues that many growing teens will experience such as peer pressure and finding where you fit into the world. Making new friends and being able to accept their help in times of trouble. I hope I haven't said too much?
I recommend this highly for teens & young adults or even old fans of paranormal like me. Don't take my word for it try it for yourself.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- BelieverReviewed in Canada on 20 December 2015
An Intoxicating Paranormal Coming-of Age Story!
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase - PiarasReviewed in the United States on 28 April 2017
Creative and imaginative...this one is a winner!
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase - Valorie D.Reviewed in the United States on 8 August 2017
Good supernaural young adult
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase - DEPReviewed in Canada on 1 April 2018
Whining soppy teenager
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
