Dead Water Zone

by Kenneth Oppel

For as long as he can remember, Paul has looked after his younger, weaker brother Sam. But when Sam leaves home to work as a research assistant in Watertown, he disappears into the dark folds of the city's noxious slum. When Paul goes looking for Sam in Watertown, he learns a dark secret: something in the water is changing the residents of Watertown, transforming them into something inhuman. But can Paul reach Sam before the dark waters get to him first?

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Dystopia, Juvenile, Teen

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

I was born in 1967 in Port Alberni, a mill town on Vancouver Island, British Columbia but spent the bulk of my childhood in Victoria, B.C. and on the opposite coast, in Halifax, Nova Scotia...At around twelve I decided I wanted to be a writer (this came after deciding I wanted to be a scientist, and then an architect). I started out writing sci-fi epics (my Star Wars phase) then went on to swords and sorcery tales (my Dungeons and Dragons phase) and then, during the summer holiday when I was fourteen, started on a humorous story about a boy addicted to video games (written, of course, during my video game phase). It turned out to be quite a long story, really a short novel, and I rewrote it the next summer. We had a family friend who knew Roald Dahl - one of my favourite authors - and this friend offered to show Dahl my story. I was paralysed with excitement. I never heard back from Roald Dahl directly, but he read my story, and liked it enough to pass on to his own literary agent. I got a letter from them, saying they wanted to take me on, and try to sell my story. And they did.

Reviews

[Celena · Rating 2 out of 5]

the writing is a little chunky but it's one of oppel's earlier works so I will forgive him for that. it comforts me knowing that one of my favourite authors also took a while to find his groove !! and i mean that in the nicest way possible

the plot seemed very interesting and the sci-fi aspects seemed cool but i feel like it took a while to get there and the ending was a bit rushed... i find this also happens a bit in the boundless and every hidden thing .. maybe this is just an oppel trademark .. also the action here is just a little wonky to read BUT ! i'm just being picky at this point. i also find that oppel writes his main male characters the same and has the same dynamic with the secondary female character (ie the main guy isn't that special and is kinda awkward and only has one motive and the girl is a morally grey character and she's alt/not like other girls)

this was a fun and fast read and i just wanted to take a break from anna karenina. this would be a cool stage play though ...

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has stuck with me for more than ten years. Re-reading, I was slightly alarmed at the writing style -- it's really not very good at all. This was one of Oppel's earliest books, and it definitely shows. The characters are somewhere in their teens, and often act younger, but then talk like roles in a play. They each have a single motivation, and occasionally reveal things about that motivation in brief speeches that are meant to sound emotional.

That said, I can definitely see why the imagery stuck with me so long. That part is really, really good. The key images seemed just the same the second time, bodies changed by the water, terrible and yet strangely glorified. The water as something with a compelling aura even to the reader. Some of the themes are clunky and obvious, but there are also threads of a strange sibling relationship based on adolescents' fascination with their own bodies. Rivalry, codependence, the strange way people blame a sick person for being sick. I can't say if I'd like the book as much if I was discovering it as an adult, but I'm glad to have re-read it.

[Jacob Ponce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with Paul going through a deserted part of his hometown trying to look for his brother Sam. Paul is there because Sam told him to meet him at the pier of Watertown. Sam is Paul’s genius younger brother who was studying the disgusting town’s water when he alerted Paul. The only thing is Sam is disabled and he only has 15 years left of life. Paul and Sam have an odd relationship but it is clear they would support each other no matter what. Paul is lost but is found by a local named Monica. She is a pick pocket and her brother runs an illegal computer business. Monica and Armitage try to help Paul find his brother. But a couple days later they are annoyed at Paul for bringing them into this. A secret organization is uncovered to be looking for Sam. At the same time Paul finds elaborate clues left by Sam especially for him. Paul learns Sam has been drinking the water making him become stronger and also realizes Sam is doing this in order to love a full life. Paul kind of knows how the water works because Monica and Armitage have the water in them because of their water-drinking mother. Paul and the other two siblings eventually find Sam but also find the leader of the organization looking for Sam. Sam is interviewed and the organization comes to a conclusion that he is very dangerous. The organization really wants to use his power as a weapon. Then Sam and the organization fight off with the help of Paul, Monica, and Armitage. At the end they come on top and the organization is defeated for now. Although Sam decides to part ways with Paul for a while as he needs to learn to control his abilities and should not be shown to the rest of the world.

[Kumar K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Kenneth Oppel usually, but this is a dull story with half a climax at the end and an uninteresting set of characters going through a setting that can be cool, but comes off dull. I suggest you skip this one.

[Trevor McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book flirted with some cool SF, but never really dug into it. I would have given it 5 stars if there was a little more effort put into the description of the science of the dead water. That's really nitpicking, though. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the setting and the pace.

[Emily Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me feeling uncomfortable in the best way. I appreciate when a character/plot surprises me, and this book accomplished that. Now I need to go have some feelings about it...

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Kenneth Oppel book but still an interesting read.

[Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

3.5

[Craig Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Water Zone by Kenneth Oppel is a science fiction story that takes place called Watertown. It focuses on two brothers one is very big and strong and the other is weak and nerdy. The weak ones name is Sam and strong one is Paul. Paul spends most of his life sticking up for Sam.
Sam and Paul are brothers they have grown up in a rich neighborhood called Governors Hill all their lives. Sam has a disorder which causes him to be extremely skinny and weak. He goes to the doctor regularly to get medication and treatment. His brother on the other hand is very strong popular and handsome kid. They live a very counseled life style. This all changes when Sam says he’s going to collage but he really goes to a place called water town it is a very poor neighborhood and is known for superstition. I won’t say why Sam went there because it would give away the key purpose of book. When Paul receives an urgent phone call from his brother to come to water town he goes a.s.a.p. When he arrives he experiences some pretty creepy stuff and encounters some interesting people. He meets a brother and sister. The sister is Monica and brother name is Armatige. They are in many stick situations, fights and chases while trying to find Sam.
I enjoyed reading this book because it was full of action and suspense. I could almost feel the worries Paul experienced when he was looking for his brother but could not find him. It was also very interesting it caught my attention in many ways it had no boring parts past page fifty. I did also enjoy the flashback which helps enlighten the story and feel more connected to the character. If you like suspense full science fiction nail biting thrillers I HIGHLY recommend this book. I personal hate reading but I could not stop reading this one. I give this 4 out of 5 stars because the ending was happy but it could have ended better.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very different from anything else from Kenneth Oppel that I have yet read. It is a speculative fiction that reminds me of much of Robert A. Heinlien's works that I read years ago in High School, or Frank Herbert's non-Dune books. It is intriguing and sublimely written.

The story is about Paul, a young athlete, has gone in search of his brother, a genius who has gone missing in Watertown, a dilapidated floating second city of those who live outside regular society. Paul is looking for Sam and keeps feeling like he sees him or feels him but has yet to actually find him. Paul meets a young woman named Monica who helps him navigate this world he has never known. Can Paul find his brother and save him? Does Sam want to be saved? Or will the Dead Water Zone consume everyone who enters its area of influence? No one knows where the Dead Water comes from, only that those who drink it are changed. They seem to be stringer, faster, have better eye sight and they also seem to go crazy.

This book was an incredible read. With twists and turns you do not expect, and surprises around every corner, it has the flavor and feel of classic science fiction. It is a stunning story compressed into just under 200 pages. Like many classic science fiction stories this one deals with themes of evolution, ecology, politics, power and human survival. It reads like it could fit into Frank Herbert's The Eye's of Heisenberg, The Dosadi Experiment or The Green Brain. If it was written as homage to some of the masters of Science Fiction it achieves its effect in a spectacular way. Oppel draws you into a story that has layers you will not unravel until the very end. It is an excellent book by a great Canadian author.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Dead Water Zone is about a buff teenager named Paul looking for his smarter, younger, and more sophisticated brother, Sam, in a poverty inflicted town next to a polluted canal. While looking for Sam, Paul comes across a strange looking girl named Monica who was "so pale, there was something almost vampiric about her"(pg 13) and her similar brother named Armitage. Monica takes Paul in and joins in on looking for Sam. They ask a friend named Decks who said that "men had came around over a week ago with a picture and asked if I'd seen him." (pg 66) Later they get jumped by a small group of people asking about Sam. They uncover information about Sam doing tests on the polluted canal and how the water can change you like making you stronger and lighter. He also mentions a place that he went called Rat Castle where "the dead water is more potent." (pg 100) The team goes to Rat Castle to find that Sam is not who he used to be.

I thought this was a good book, but didn't have a very solid ending as loose ends weren't completely tied up with Sam, but other than that it is a good short book that I would recommend to people who like fictional mystery with a little bit of action. You might not want to read this due to its short length as in number of pages and that it has no sequel. The book is pretty straight forward and doesn't require a very high reading level.

[Tyler [HOMY] The · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my book review on the book "Dead Water Zone". This book is a drama/adventure book but many action parts can be found in this amazing book. The author of this book is the commonly known Kenneth Oppel which has also written many other great books like, Airborne and Silverwing. This book was published by schoolastics in 1992. The book was a good choice for me because I have read many books by the same author.

There are three main characters in this boook. Paul, a self centerd muscular teenager, Monica a mutated water drinker that lives in watertown and is very self consious about her body image. And finnally who the whole story is about, Sam, Paul's brother. he's a runaway teen with an urge to do what he pleases and has an uncurable disease, he is also very smart and can be compared to his brother if he was the complete opposite.

The plot of this story is Paul the older and more muscular trying to save his brother from an unknown bad guy. Monica also plays a big role in this story guiding Paul through Watertown looking for Sam. This book is filled with multiple encounters with enemys. Paul has to escape many bad situations that could cause him bad injury or even death.

If you think this book review was good maybe you will pick it up and try reading it.

[Sjtiedje · Rating 5 out of 5]

20 Word Summary
This story is about when a boy named Paul went to Watertown in an attempt to find his sick brother.

Passage page 23 paragraph 6
"The call came five days ago, his brother's voice breathed in payphone static. They had talked awkwardly about everyday things. Then, in a sudden rush, Sam had told him he was in Watertown. He'd found something unusual in the water samples. Noone else knew about it. He'd gone down himself to find out more. It was the only way and then he said, "something wonderful is going to happen."

Why I chose this passage
I chose this passage because it is the whole reason that Paul is going down to Watertown.

[Aaron House · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great short read for anyone. The book is about a brother who goes to the bad side of town to look for his brother, along the way he learns about the water in water town. Trough this he learned that his brother might be doing something with the water.
Paul receives a phone call from his Brother Sam asking for help in water town. When Paul arrives he meets Monica and her brother, they agree to help Paul track down Sam. They find Sam’s research on the water; they realize he is trying to purify it. Paul finds Sam helping the one responsible for the drinking of the water; when they confront each other things go south.
This book is a great fiction book. A short read, great for anyone who can’t find a book to read. This will keep you asking questions until the end of the book.

[Matt Schinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a pretty good science fiction novel. It was based around a boy, Sam, that ran away to research the water in watertown which is believed to be toxic. Paul is the main character of the story who runs away from home to find his brother Sam. Sam was born with a disease which makes it hard for him to put on weight and muscle. Paul has made it his goal in life to protect his brother from being bullied. The story goes through Paul's struggles to find Sam and ensure his safety. I thought that this was a good book and a quick read and you should definitely check it out!

[Librariann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ages 10+

Freak the Mighty goes sci-fi in this tale of two brothers, one a weakling genius with limited life expectancy, the other a teenager with a strong muscled physique a la Da Vinci's Perfect Man. A little too dated, (has 90's ideas of the future - sigh, I have been spoiled by MT Anderson's "Feed") a little too convoluted. Though Oppel has proven himself to be a talented and successful author, won't purchase the reprint of this early work.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oppel puts scientific themes and ethical questions at the center of a lot of his books. Didn't think this one was particularly engaging. Likely a bit dated as they talk about the diskette containing incriminating evidence of the properties of the contaminated water. I wonder if that aspect of the book was changed with the re-publishing in 2007.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a Kenneth Oppel fan, you'll find this an interesting read. It's definitely not on the caliber of his other books, and I wouldn't make this the first book of his to read. However, it was a solid story and the writing was fine. It's obviously one of his earlier books. A good way to pass the time on a summer afternoon. Also, it's short, so it moves quickly. Best for the 13+ age group.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Kenneth Oppel's first novels published (and not up to the par of Airborn or Skybreaker) this is interesting science fiction that reluctant readers might like.

Reminds me of Chris Wooding's Storm Thief (who I highly recommend).

[Karin]

Good book

[Maddalenah · Rating 2 out of 5]

e dire che mi piaceva tanto quando ero più piccola :(

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

i got half way through it in english class. it was ok, but a junk-store special.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author. The story was not as compelling as his Airborn books.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Sapphire · Rating 2 out of 5]

not the best but bearable

[H.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little strange. No offense...

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it! Wasn't how I had been expecting it at all! Also, the ending was sooo stupid! It was such a waste of time!
When I was reading the beginning, it seemed promising. Instead, it turned out to be all so stupid. What a bummer! I was so excited to read it. It was such a waste of time! In case you're wondering why I kept on reading, because my habit is once i start, I love it or not, I have to finish it.
It was just so so stupid! I hated it, I HATED it!
If you want to read a book with good brother relationships in it, don't read this one!