Blood in the Water

Tides of War #1

by C. Alexander London

Based on a real military program! The US Navy's new breed of soldier is ready to make a big splash. From the author of Dog Tags!Navy SEALs are some of the most elite warriors in the world. Trained to operate in sea, land, and air, they work under cover of night to carry out the US military's most sensitive and difficult missions. Cory McNab wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but he washed out of the program. Now he is a member of the Navy's Marine Mammals Program, where he is partnered with a search-and-recovery dolphin named Kaj.Together, Cory and Kaj are the Navy's best hope when a US spy submarine is lost in enemy waters. With the help of Kaj's bio-sonar, they should be able to locate the submarine before its secrets fall into the wrong hands. But the mission gets complicated when a team of Navy SEALs runs into trouble. Can Cory succeed where his heroes have failed . . . or is he in too deep?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, War, Young Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2014

Reviews

[Justin.h · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the waves crashed on the beach of Sandiego's shore, Cory and his brother Aaron were Surfing. Injoy the waves until a shark came and attacked Aaron. Aaron lived with only a few scars and brushes. But Cory was not the one to save his brother. A Dolphin saved Aaron and brought him to shore. Since the Dolphin saved his brother, that made Cory decide that he will work with dolphins for the U.S. Navy. Cory and his Dolphin Kaj. Cory and Kaj have been chosen to work with Seal Team Six because the Seals needed Kaj to find a sunken submarine that has the worlds top ten technology on it. Cory, Kaj, and Seal Team Six now must go into Korean water to find and destroy this submarine before North Korean does.
I recommend this book because it keeps you wanting to read more and more until the end.

[Lucas Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

thee theme of this book is you can still succeed even when your heroes fail. This is the theme because the main character wanted to become a navy seal but didn't complete his training. He still wanted to be in the navy and he joined the navy marine mammal program and worked with a search and recover dolphin Kaj. At the end of the book the main character Cory McNab and Kaj succeeded in the mission where the seals had failed.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book Tides of War, Blood in The Water because it was very appealing to me. I like how the book is based on a story about a Navy Seal, Cory who trains and works with Kaj a Navy Seal dolphin. Cory would have his special partner Kaj for support whenever Cory would need it. I would recommend this book to kids who like reading about Navy Seals. I also would recommend this book to fifth graders to sixth graders. the lesson I think the author is trying to get around is how when you have a priority you have to finish it. Meaning when you start something you need to finish it all the way.

[Sharie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series by this author bound to be excellent. It's a page turner.

Themes:
Navy SEALs
Shark attacks
Loyalty
Navy Marine Mammal Program (who knew!)
Dolphin facts
Facing your fears

Audience:
Great for 4th grade on up
Engaging for older reader as well
Hits the mark for a reluctant reader
Would not classify this as 'boys only', especially with the dolphins included

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book stirs trouble for Cory and Kaj, the way they choose to be a navy seal is brave. As Cory and Raj dont be come Navy seals they became A Navy Marine Mammal member.They were very useful when they were the USA's best hope at finding a spy american submarine. As like what the back of the book says have they gotten too deep? Or maybe shallow.

[C.M. Halstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this at the request of my 11 year old boy. I enjoyed it! A great tale and heroes journey. Fate comes to play as well.

If you are looking for a quick young adult adventure with good morals. This is one for exploring our warrior side, and facing our fears.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Not really hard. Easy. If you want to read a historical fiction book that's easy, this book if for you.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool story about dolphins being trained by the US Navy. Dolphins can perform underwater missions that humans (and technology) cannot.

I learned some amazing things about dolphins, such as how intelligent they are, and that dolphins can perform some fantastic maneuvers that can aid in military maneuvers. Wow! I liked how one phrase in the book says it this way: “The dolphins were like the police dogs of the ocean.” Plus, did you know that dolphins love to have their tongue scratched? And that humans comply to this strange (and dangerous) request to put their hand in the dolphin's mouth? Woah!

Another reason why I'm a little more than impressed with this book is that it's released from Scholastic, but this isn't your average middle-grade book. The main character Cory McNab is an adult, not a kid. Yet the action-packed thrilling adventure is perfect for say, tweens up to adults to enjoy.

It's a book that has some beautiful moments showing humans connecting with animals. Plus it has all the action of a Navy SEAL high-seas adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book; I was not required to post a positive review.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Tides of War: Blood in the water, the author tells about a man named Cory in the navy seals, and trains a dolphin named Kaj. The dolphin he trains goes with him on missions.The dolphin struggles be trained and is almost let go. They have to find a spy submarine. They mission is up Cory and Kaj.

My favorite part of the story was when they go searching for the submarine. I like this part because I feel the adrenaline. They have to avoid water mines and enemy. They have to be stealth on this mission too.

I recommend this book because of the story. I like the book because I like the genre. I would recommend this to people who like books of this genre. The genre is realistic fiction. It has a lot of action in the book.

I give this book a four star rating. I gave it this rating because it was really good,but I got lost sometimes. I really like all of the action. The book Tides of War was one of my favorites.

[Lucas F · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good because it is very interesting and I really like those books! I recommend this book to and 5th grader or higher who enjoy very interesting war books! If u like navy seals you will probably like this book! Cory and his brother had a shark attack and got saved by dolphins, so Cory decided to be a dolphin trainer after he failed to complete he seals training, he trained a dolphin named Kia and was asked to find a mini submarine and explode it and do other crazy missions. The North Koreans took some seals for hostage to tell there leader. Unfortunately if the North Koreas get there hands on what on that sub they will be "unstoppable able". Will they blow up the mini submarine and let the navy seals be hostile or find there navy seals and risk the North Koreas get there hands on the mini sub!

[Jackson W · Rating 3 out of 5]

cory tried to become a navy seal. but did not make it. he became part of the navy's marine mammals program. also he trained a dolphin name kaj to hunt bombs and other thing under water to make the ocean safer. cory is afraid of being in open water because of a previous shark attack. cory and kaj are sent to the sea of japan retrieve a sensitive piece of equipment that was lost in north kerana territory.
cory is afraid that he will make a fool of himself but is determined to show that he and kaj can do the job. major landon doesn't think much of the "fish" but is impressed with what kaj and cory can do. the mission is threatened when a north korean trawler turns out to be more than it seems. cory and kaj save the navy seals and take the boat over.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 personally but I can see this getting a demographic of military loving boys that can sometimes be reading averse so 3. This is my first ever taste of military genre fiction albeit a younger appropriate take on it. I'm glad it gives enough background information on military operations and groups so it is approachable for kids that might find the military interesting but don't really know anything about it.
It's got a simple message of overcoming fear and interestingly a bit of dealing with handling disappointment with his failed SEAL training too which was a nice addition.
The action is well written and not too intense for middle schoolers. It addresses the bullet and death element of modern combat with death but doesn't linger on it to made it uncomfortable or too mature for them (not that middle schoolers can't handle death or learning about war but the not in-depth detailing does help keep it age appropriate while not shying away from it). While the character writing is nothing impressive the relationship between Cory and Landon the SEAl Team 6 leader who is slowly won over by Cory was nicely written.

[Jacob Rydman]

!!!!TINY SPOILER WARNING!!!! When I read this book, there are many things I liked about it. One thing I liked is that there was a guy at war and there is a dolphin by his side when he is swimming in the ocean trying to get passed enemy lines. I don't really dislike anything about the book besides that it has 213 page, but another thing I would dislike is that I can't really compare my life to Cory's life at war. The characters seem pretty nice in my opinion, I'm really impressed with Cory(the main character) that he takes war very seriously but at the same time he goes to war and takes it like a champ. Cory seems to be a very skilled person when it comes to war.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author is very hesitant. The main character is constantly debating the ethics of using the dolphin, a little too constantly. While it may be something a handler thinks about in his off time or training at home, it seems a bit out of place in the middle of a top secret mission when there is a huge time crunch at play. Much lighter in military terms and interactions than the Dog Tags series, but overall an enjoyable read. I might pick up the second book in the series but would never re-read this one.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I got this book I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. As you read through the book, you learn more about what they navy uses dolphins for, and it's easy to understand that they're very helpful. The main character, Cory, is a trainer for one of the dolphins. When he learns that the program for sea animals is in danger, he tries his best to save it. This book is especially good for people that like war themed books, and animals.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! It gave a very interesting perspective on how underwater bombs were located and deactivated. I thought that the author put a lot of thought into the details of this book.

I will definitely want to continue reading books from this series and from this author as well. This was absolutely one of my favorite books to read for the year.

[Garrit Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it is fast paced. The main character Cory and his brother Aron got attacked by a shark at the beginning of the book. Cory tried to be a navy SEAL but the training was too hard so he quit and just joined the navy. His partner is a dolphin named Kaj he is in a search and recovery program. I would recommend this book to dolphin lovers.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conflict in the book is that the main character’s (Cory's) little brother was attacked by a shark and he can't get the memory out of his head. The way that Cory reacts when he sees sharks is very interesting.

I would recommend this book to people 12+ because of the violence.

[Christine D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! For any kids interested in military stuff, this would be a great chapter book to introduce them to.
It was action packed and was good at easing kids into military jargon and operations.
Also, I LOVED the Kaj, the navy dolphin.

[Evelyn.Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very boring, I did not like it.

[Ashley Jo Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Kids book

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great action packed novel, within a series

[Susan Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a student as "the only book I ever read I liked." Exciting, predictable style, much like an updated, junior Alistair MacLean. Spot on for very reluctant readers.

[Keith Jacobusse]

This is one of my favorite series that I have read. I’ve always been into war stuff like this and most of these incorporated animals in the books which makes it also very interesting.

[Dylon Murphy]

Good plot

[Patrick B · Rating 5 out of 5]

gud

[Brayden Lirette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book a while ago and loved it, the ending is so intense

[Elliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!

[Kian Moe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this about a year ago, but I only got about two chapters into it. Now I'm reading it again! I'm on chapter... 6 I think. I love this book so far. I've read all of the Dog Tags series, it's by the same author "C. Alexander London". I love the Tides of War series and Dog Tags. I recommend this book to anyone who likes military based action, there's a lot of suspense even as far as I've gotten! 😊
!!!