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Beneath
'She plunged beneath the surface, her eyes blind in the murky, green dived again and again until she couldn't take another breath. There was no trace. Freya was gone.' Jess has heard the rumors, old folk tales of creatures that live beneath the dangerous shapeshifters with a taste for human children. She's dismissed them as crazy stories -- until her best friend is stolen and Jess discovers all the legends are true... Trying to rescue her friend, she meets one of them -- a kelpie -- but he turns out to be nothing like she imagined. Caught between two worlds, between kelpies and humans, and between mysterious Finn and brave Magnus, Jess must chose between what she's always known -- and what lies beneath. Gill Arbuthnott creates an enthralling world of love and revenge, divided loyalties and imminent danger in this brilliant fantasy novel for young teens set in 16th century Scotland."
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Gill Arbuthnott
49 books33 followersI was born and brought up in Edinburgh, where I went to James Gillespie’s High School, famous as the school where the author Muriel Spark was educated, and on which she based her most famous book The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Almost all the teachers when I was there seemed to be wildly eccentric spinsters. There was one maths teacher who would climb into a cupboard at one end of the room, and reappear out from a cupboard door at the other end! Then there was Miss Dalgliesh. She was my teacher in Primary 5. She always wore a black teaching gown, and used to swoop round the room like a large, friendly rook. She had a stuffed tawny owl in her room, and if you were particularly good, you might be allowed to take it home for the night! She used to invite some of us (we were all girls in Gillespie’s back then) to the flat she shared with her sister, to eat cream cakes and listen to her sister play the piano… I don’t think they don’t make teachers like that any more, sadly.
When I finished school I went off to St Andrew’s University to study Zoology, then did teacher training (just so I could have another year lolling around as a student really). At that point, I thought I wanted to be a proper Scientist, so I went off to Southampton University to start a PhD. Unfortunately, I was rubbish at research. I wasn’t nearly clever enough. So I became a Biology teacher instead!
All the time though, what I really wanted to do was write. I wrote in secret (I know, how sad is that?) so that not even my family knew my Dark Secret. I tried a couple of books for adults, but just amassed a splendid collection of rejection slips. Then I saw the Millennium Clock in the museum in Edinburgh, and suddenly I was writing the Chaos Clock, and suddenly it had turned into a childrens’ book. I still don’t quite know how that happened. It seemed to just decide it was a childrens’ book, and I didn’t feel I was in a position to argue with it.
Now, I can’t imagine why I ever wanted to write for adults. This has got to be the best job in the world…
Almost all the teachers when I was there seemed to be wildly eccentric spinsters. There was one maths teacher who would climb into a cupboard at one end of the room, and reappear out from a cupboard door at the other end! Then there was Miss Dalgliesh. She was my teacher in Primary 5. She always wore a black teaching gown, and used to swoop round the room like a large, friendly rook. She had a stuffed tawny owl in her room, and if you were particularly good, you might be allowed to take it home for the night! She used to invite some of us (we were all girls in Gillespie’s back then) to the flat she shared with her sister, to eat cream cakes and listen to her sister play the piano… I don’t think they don’t make teachers like that any more, sadly.
When I finished school I went off to St Andrew’s University to study Zoology, then did teacher training (just so I could have another year lolling around as a student really). At that point, I thought I wanted to be a proper Scientist, so I went off to Southampton University to start a PhD. Unfortunately, I was rubbish at research. I wasn’t nearly clever enough. So I became a Biology teacher instead!
All the time though, what I really wanted to do was write. I wrote in secret (I know, how sad is that?) so that not even my family knew my Dark Secret. I tried a couple of books for adults, but just amassed a splendid collection of rejection slips. Then I saw the Millennium Clock in the museum in Edinburgh, and suddenly I was writing the Chaos Clock, and suddenly it had turned into a childrens’ book. I still don’t quite know how that happened. It seemed to just decide it was a childrens’ book, and I didn’t feel I was in a position to argue with it.
Now, I can’t imagine why I ever wanted to write for adults. This has got to be the best job in the world…
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 4, 2015
This was a nice book about the mythological beings known as 'kelpies', lake dwelling horse-like beings who can assume human form. The main character, Jess, meets a kelpie boy and an adventure ensues which imperils several towns in the area. Jess finds herself drawn to the kelpie boy Finn, but already has a boyfriend Magnus. A significant portion of the novel is about her internal tug of war concerning which boy to choose.
The book started off unusually slow for a YA novel, making me think it was the first part of a series. By the second half things had picked up and there was enough mystery and action to keep my attention. I liked the way Arbuthnott laced mythology and reality to create an interesting twist on parallel worlds.
Knowing nothing about kelpies until reading this book, I can definitely say it was enjoyable learning about them.
The book started off unusually slow for a YA novel, making me think it was the first part of a series. By the second half things had picked up and there was enough mystery and action to keep my attention. I liked the way Arbuthnott laced mythology and reality to create an interesting twist on parallel worlds.
Knowing nothing about kelpies until reading this book, I can definitely say it was enjoyable learning about them.
March 22, 2014
First person to write a review huh? Well then, I wish I had better news but I don't.
Warning!!!!
My review will contain spoilers but not so much that you wouldn't be able to read the story if you so choose. I give information about the book, but try not to do so outright except for the love triangle thing, that I can't help. Just wanted to give a heads up.
This book follows Jess, a farm girl, who always feels as if she is being watched and indeed she is, by Finn who happens to be a Kelpie. So taken with Jess is he, that Finn wants to take her back with him to his world; unfortunately, he ends up with her best friend Freya instead. So Jess offers herself up as bait, which Finn takes, and enters his world to get Freya back. She succeeds but her actions cause problems and soon, the black wolves that the Kelpies have been blocking from entering the "Upper World" do. In an of itself, this is an interesting story.
But then comes the love triangle. Magnus is Jess' friend and he loves her, but so does Finn (obvious because he's basically stalked her for years). Both guys seem great, but really my heart (and Jess') belonged to Finn. More on this in a second.
The start of the book is good, Freya is taken and Jess saves her giving the false impression that Jess is going to be a great lead. The middle gets muddled a bit becoming filled with, well filler. The pace slows down as Jess spends time with Magnus and Freya or doing chores around the house. Even when Finn shows up half dead, the mood of the book never moves forward. The characters remain stationary as if they are encased in jello. The only amount of growth we see is the fact that Ellen accepts Finn instead of outright loathing him. Jess from the beginning of the book is the same as Jess at the end. Finn stays the same, as do Freya and Magnus. Toward the end of the book there is action as our heroes take on the black wolves; however, it is quick and fragmented. In the end there is not much action but there are some needless descriptions of cat corpses.
What the book felt like was there was a beginning that meant something, some stuff in the middle that really didn't pertain to the main story, and then an end. What I would have liked was more time with the Kelpies. More of the plot line, but the story suffered with the whole "who will she choose" subplot which of course, ended poorly. The middle of the book was more of why Jess should like one boy over another but don't let that fool you into thinking there was much thought given on that subject either. Actually what if felt like was listening to Magnus' mother's prattle.
While Magnus and Finn never fight over her it was still annoying. Why, why do they like her so much?! Most of the blame rests at Jess' feet; our poor heroine without much personality. In the end her heart belongs to Finn, whom it should belong to, but she refused to go to his world and he won't leave his people. It's just won't work out. Bull, if Inu-Yasha and Kagome could make it work, these two could. (Sorry it was the best reference I could think of.). So they part, she apparently cries on the way home where she runs into Magnus and proclaims "I love you!" Ah, what? If you ask me Magnus got the short end of this stick. This light switch feeling change did not work for me and ultimately the ending just added more ugh to the book.
Also there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. I felt as if I was just supposed to accept things, namely Jess ending up with Magnus. There is no feeling in this book, no emotion, except anger mostly from Jess' dad. The love felt flat and the characters were flat.
Overall two stars; yes, I have read worse books. Good premise, bad execution.
Warning!!!!
My review will contain spoilers but not so much that you wouldn't be able to read the story if you so choose. I give information about the book, but try not to do so outright except for the love triangle thing, that I can't help. Just wanted to give a heads up.
This book follows Jess, a farm girl, who always feels as if she is being watched and indeed she is, by Finn who happens to be a Kelpie. So taken with Jess is he, that Finn wants to take her back with him to his world; unfortunately, he ends up with her best friend Freya instead. So Jess offers herself up as bait, which Finn takes, and enters his world to get Freya back. She succeeds but her actions cause problems and soon, the black wolves that the Kelpies have been blocking from entering the "Upper World" do. In an of itself, this is an interesting story.
But then comes the love triangle. Magnus is Jess' friend and he loves her, but so does Finn (obvious because he's basically stalked her for years). Both guys seem great, but really my heart (and Jess') belonged to Finn. More on this in a second.
The start of the book is good, Freya is taken and Jess saves her giving the false impression that Jess is going to be a great lead. The middle gets muddled a bit becoming filled with, well filler. The pace slows down as Jess spends time with Magnus and Freya or doing chores around the house. Even when Finn shows up half dead, the mood of the book never moves forward. The characters remain stationary as if they are encased in jello. The only amount of growth we see is the fact that Ellen accepts Finn instead of outright loathing him. Jess from the beginning of the book is the same as Jess at the end. Finn stays the same, as do Freya and Magnus. Toward the end of the book there is action as our heroes take on the black wolves; however, it is quick and fragmented. In the end there is not much action but there are some needless descriptions of cat corpses.
What the book felt like was there was a beginning that meant something, some stuff in the middle that really didn't pertain to the main story, and then an end. What I would have liked was more time with the Kelpies. More of the plot line, but the story suffered with the whole "who will she choose" subplot which of course, ended poorly. The middle of the book was more of why Jess should like one boy over another but don't let that fool you into thinking there was much thought given on that subject either. Actually what if felt like was listening to Magnus' mother's prattle.
While Magnus and Finn never fight over her it was still annoying. Why, why do they like her so much?! Most of the blame rests at Jess' feet; our poor heroine without much personality. In the end her heart belongs to Finn, whom it should belong to, but she refused to go to his world and he won't leave his people. It's just won't work out. Bull, if Inu-Yasha and Kagome could make it work, these two could. (Sorry it was the best reference I could think of.). So they part, she apparently cries on the way home where she runs into Magnus and proclaims "I love you!" Ah, what? If you ask me Magnus got the short end of this stick. This light switch feeling change did not work for me and ultimately the ending just added more ugh to the book.
Also there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. I felt as if I was just supposed to accept things, namely Jess ending up with Magnus. There is no feeling in this book, no emotion, except anger mostly from Jess' dad. The love felt flat and the characters were flat.
Overall two stars; yes, I have read worse books. Good premise, bad execution.
April 22, 2014
A gripping book; read in just two sittings. I particularly enjoyed the way in which the scenery and characters' mannerisms are captured, and I was able to visualise everything that was happening very vividly. The nature of the Kelpies in "Beneath" is far from that depicted in the traditional stories/myths that mention them, but I think I enjoyed this aspect of the book the most...perhaps we've been wrong all along?!
As someone that is not a "tween", the love triangle irritated me a little...It is relevant and important to the story, and it is well narrated, but I can't help feeling that the relationships and emotions involved (particularly between Magnus and Jess) are all a bit flat, or muted, and could benefit from a little more passion than some hand holding and the odd kiss - I want to know how Jess felt when her and Magnus first kissed, rather than learning about it later in what seems to be a passing comment. And I want to know more about Finn's feelings for Jess and how they change after he's been "captured".
I think this book is probably better suited to a younger audience (mid to late teens), but I enjoyed it nonetheless and give it 4 stars for its creative storyline and attention to detail.
As someone that is not a "tween", the love triangle irritated me a little...It is relevant and important to the story, and it is well narrated, but I can't help feeling that the relationships and emotions involved (particularly between Magnus and Jess) are all a bit flat, or muted, and could benefit from a little more passion than some hand holding and the odd kiss - I want to know how Jess felt when her and Magnus first kissed, rather than learning about it later in what seems to be a passing comment. And I want to know more about Finn's feelings for Jess and how they change after he's been "captured".
I think this book is probably better suited to a younger audience (mid to late teens), but I enjoyed it nonetheless and give it 4 stars for its creative storyline and attention to detail.
June 2, 2019
Beneath was a lovely YA fantasy with mythical creatures called Kelpies, a love triangle and villains (which were wolves so I kinda loved them)!
I thought it could have been a lot more I just felt it ended abruptly and for me with the wrong choice 😂.
The characters were easy to connect with and all had their own lovable traits which is a big plus for me!
The story could have been developed more and even made into a series of books but sometimes it’s nice when a book is quick ...
So over all it was an easy, enjoyable and quick read for when you need a break from the BIG BOOKS 📚❤️.
Would I recommend it, yes!
It’s a 3⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I thought it could have been a lot more I just felt it ended abruptly and for me with the wrong choice 😂.
The characters were easy to connect with and all had their own lovable traits which is a big plus for me!
The story could have been developed more and even made into a series of books but sometimes it’s nice when a book is quick ...
So over all it was an easy, enjoyable and quick read for when you need a break from the BIG BOOKS 📚❤️.
Would I recommend it, yes!
It’s a 3⭐️⭐️⭐️.
September 22, 2024
♛/♛reading books that i used to read back in my library era part 2
i loved this one !! remembering back to when i first read this, it was like 144p in my head n now its like 1080p lmfaooo 😂
i rly enjoyed reading this again, did not expect it to be like that either. it's fast paced. im in love with finn. magnus is a prick. the 1500s prejudice is crazy.
♛<3
i loved this one !! remembering back to when i first read this, it was like 144p in my head n now its like 1080p lmfaooo 😂
i rly enjoyed reading this again, did not expect it to be like that either. it's fast paced. im in love with finn. magnus is a prick. the 1500s prejudice is crazy.
♛<3
December 13, 2017
There's nothing particularly memorable about this book. It read like many other YA fantasy novels I've encountered, complete with love triangle. The villains of the piece were particularly uncompelling: I'm glad the heroine , I suppose.
January 30, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love how it is set in a different time to the present and I both worlds were really believable. The love story is mild and I have to say that it felt like the choice that was made at the end was abrupt and wrong. It felt like there was so much more to come. It could have been so much more. 3.5 stars.
June 7, 2019
Gripping! The tale holds your interest from beginning to end.
Because some people refuse to believe there are kelpies , many dangers and mistakes are made. A lot of misunderstandings between generations and the different worlds.
The ending makes you think, what if she made the other choice?
Because some people refuse to believe there are kelpies , many dangers and mistakes are made. A lot of misunderstandings between generations and the different worlds.
The ending makes you think, what if she made the other choice?
October 23, 2020
This gets 2 stars for the folklore aspect. It was interesting. The writing wasn't great and the ending was flat.
October 26, 2025
Very easy reading and although the end was a bit bland, the story was compelling.
March 16, 2022
it was decent i was just really annoyed by the ending and the mc’s dumb choices.
November 13, 2014
Beneath
Gill Arbuthnott
Fantasy
Review: Jess lives in a small town called Kirriemiur which is in Scotland. For some reason Jess always feels like she is being watched, but she can never figure out why. Then a couple of boys turn up missing and the only clue is the hoof print of a wild horse. Unfortunately the towns people all claim it was nothing but drowning even though both boys were really good swimmers. Then Jess and her friend are out picking berries when they come upon a black horse with blue eyes. Freya, Jess’s best friend touches the horse and is instantly pulled under the lake they are near while poor Jess watches and can do nothing to help. When she gets home no one believes what happened except Jess’s grandmother who tells her an interesting tale about the Kelpies. Jess decides to save her friend and in the process learns that it has been Finn, a kelpie boy, who has been watching her. Jess rescues her friend, but this is only the beginning.
I really wanted to like this story and in some ways I did but in other ways I did not like this book. One of the things I liked about this book was seeing into the kelpie world and realizing that they are not evil but protectors who are keeping a promise. Another thing I liked about the story was Freya; she was my favorite character. She was funny, sassy and very take charge and bossy. She had no trouble keeping people on their toes throughout the book. One of the things I did not really care for in the book was lack of character growth. I didn't really get a feeling that Jess was developing at all. She was so indecisive until she was pretty much forced into a decision. The big thing I didn’t like was the love triangle. It wasn’t the fact that there was one, because I personally enjoy a love triangle now and again. The problem with the love triangle was that I could really root for either guy. In the beginning you barely know anything about them and as the story progresses that does not change a whole lot. Also I felt that Jess was very unkind to both guys for not figuring out her feelings until she was forced to decide which world she wanted to be a part of. Even then she only chose the guy she did because of the world she wanted to be in, not because she loved that guy more.
I think some people may like this. The story line is very interesting if you can get past the romance part. I did like where the author went with the story and how she explained why kelpies took children. I thought the reason she gave was a very good one and made a lot of sense. I personally did not like this book but those who like fantasy and are not as big of a romantic as I am may find this to be an enjoyable read.
I received a free ecopy of the book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
Gill Arbuthnott
Fantasy
Review: Jess lives in a small town called Kirriemiur which is in Scotland. For some reason Jess always feels like she is being watched, but she can never figure out why. Then a couple of boys turn up missing and the only clue is the hoof print of a wild horse. Unfortunately the towns people all claim it was nothing but drowning even though both boys were really good swimmers. Then Jess and her friend are out picking berries when they come upon a black horse with blue eyes. Freya, Jess’s best friend touches the horse and is instantly pulled under the lake they are near while poor Jess watches and can do nothing to help. When she gets home no one believes what happened except Jess’s grandmother who tells her an interesting tale about the Kelpies. Jess decides to save her friend and in the process learns that it has been Finn, a kelpie boy, who has been watching her. Jess rescues her friend, but this is only the beginning.
I really wanted to like this story and in some ways I did but in other ways I did not like this book. One of the things I liked about this book was seeing into the kelpie world and realizing that they are not evil but protectors who are keeping a promise. Another thing I liked about the story was Freya; she was my favorite character. She was funny, sassy and very take charge and bossy. She had no trouble keeping people on their toes throughout the book. One of the things I did not really care for in the book was lack of character growth. I didn't really get a feeling that Jess was developing at all. She was so indecisive until she was pretty much forced into a decision. The big thing I didn’t like was the love triangle. It wasn’t the fact that there was one, because I personally enjoy a love triangle now and again. The problem with the love triangle was that I could really root for either guy. In the beginning you barely know anything about them and as the story progresses that does not change a whole lot. Also I felt that Jess was very unkind to both guys for not figuring out her feelings until she was forced to decide which world she wanted to be a part of. Even then she only chose the guy she did because of the world she wanted to be in, not because she loved that guy more.
I think some people may like this. The story line is very interesting if you can get past the romance part. I did like where the author went with the story and how she explained why kelpies took children. I thought the reason she gave was a very good one and made a lot of sense. I personally did not like this book but those who like fantasy and are not as big of a romantic as I am may find this to be an enjoyable read.
I received a free ecopy of the book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
July 5, 2014
Review posted on Hellopreciousbliss.com/ARC received from NetGalley for honest review.
It has been going on since her Grandmother was a girl, children disappearing around Roseroot Pool. Jess's Grandmother claimed to have seen her cousin Euan taken at that same pool when they were children. He was taken by a black horse into the pool and underwater. Never to be seen again.
Jess and her best friend Freya go out to pick mushrooms and brambles by Roseroot Pool one afternoon. They come upon a horse whose mane was snarled on the bramble thorns. Freya moves to help untangle the horse and she finds herself suddenly seated on top of the horse. The horse walks out to the middle of the pool and plunges under the water. Jess rushes into the pool and dives umpteen times but finds no trace of Freya.
After a couple of days of searching and not finding Freya, Jess's grandmother tells her of her cousin and the tales of kelpies. The grandmother tells her of a rhyme she was told by an old woman wanting Jess to enlist Freya's father to catch the kelpie and have it return Freya back to them. The father doesn't believe Jess and she is left to be the one to catch the kelpie and have it return Freya to their world.
Finn is the Kelpie that steals Freya. He has been watching Jess for years and has fallen in love with her from afar. Once they come face to face there is an immediate attraction between the two of them. But Jess also has feelings for Freya's cousin Magnus.
That's right folks, tale as old as time. The love triangle! I know many people hate the love triangle. I don't mind them. Usually I'm fine with whom ends up with who. The kelpies as horses was something new to me. Last book I read with kelpies they were seals.
I did enjoy the story and there is plenty to keep you interested and reading. The characters were well written on a whole and I think my favorite was Freya. She tends to be on the bossy side and I find her amusing. On a whole I would give this a 3 rating. Not to be nit-picky, I know this wasn't a finished copy, but the lack of punctuation was irritating and the constant letters missing from words making me go back to re-read the sentence for it to make complete sense to me had me wanting to pull my hair out by the end. So high five on the plot, thumbs down to making me read even slower then I already do.
It has been going on since her Grandmother was a girl, children disappearing around Roseroot Pool. Jess's Grandmother claimed to have seen her cousin Euan taken at that same pool when they were children. He was taken by a black horse into the pool and underwater. Never to be seen again.
Jess and her best friend Freya go out to pick mushrooms and brambles by Roseroot Pool one afternoon. They come upon a horse whose mane was snarled on the bramble thorns. Freya moves to help untangle the horse and she finds herself suddenly seated on top of the horse. The horse walks out to the middle of the pool and plunges under the water. Jess rushes into the pool and dives umpteen times but finds no trace of Freya.
After a couple of days of searching and not finding Freya, Jess's grandmother tells her of her cousin and the tales of kelpies. The grandmother tells her of a rhyme she was told by an old woman wanting Jess to enlist Freya's father to catch the kelpie and have it return Freya back to them. The father doesn't believe Jess and she is left to be the one to catch the kelpie and have it return Freya to their world.
Finn is the Kelpie that steals Freya. He has been watching Jess for years and has fallen in love with her from afar. Once they come face to face there is an immediate attraction between the two of them. But Jess also has feelings for Freya's cousin Magnus.
That's right folks, tale as old as time. The love triangle! I know many people hate the love triangle. I don't mind them. Usually I'm fine with whom ends up with who. The kelpies as horses was something new to me. Last book I read with kelpies they were seals.
I did enjoy the story and there is plenty to keep you interested and reading. The characters were well written on a whole and I think my favorite was Freya. She tends to be on the bossy side and I find her amusing. On a whole I would give this a 3 rating. Not to be nit-picky, I know this wasn't a finished copy, but the lack of punctuation was irritating and the constant letters missing from words making me go back to re-read the sentence for it to make complete sense to me had me wanting to pull my hair out by the end. So high five on the plot, thumbs down to making me read even slower then I already do.
August 16, 2014
It begins with a feeling of being watched in the woods, which Jess dismisses as her imagination. Then comes the disappearance of a local boy—the second from their village in a year—which the whole neighborhood seems to dismiss as an unexplained tragedy. But when Jess sees her best friend, Freya, taken beneath the waters of Roseroot Pond by a mysterious blue-eyed black horse, she can no longer ignore the strange events surrounding her 16th century Scottish village. Jess’s attempts to explain Freya’s disappearance are met with disbelief and hostility from everyone but her grandmother. Gran tells her the local lore about the Kelpies: beings that live beneath the water and can shift between horse and human. Armed with this knowledge, Jess sets out to rescue Freya. Her journey takes her into a strange new world and a strangely powerful new relationship with Finn, the Kelpie who took Freya and who helps free her for Jess’s sake.
When Finn’s actions get him banned from his own world, Jess’s sense of responsibility for him sets her at odds with her family and friends, including Magnus, the young man who’s been courting her. Jess soon finds both her loyalty and her heart divided. Then danger from outside threatens to destroy both worlds—and both the young men she cares for.
The paranormal romance/love triangle is a fairly well-established trope in YA literature, and this is a competently written, engaging entry into that field. Sure to appeal to fans of Maggie Stiefvater’s “Shiver” series.
When Finn’s actions get him banned from his own world, Jess’s sense of responsibility for him sets her at odds with her family and friends, including Magnus, the young man who’s been courting her. Jess soon finds both her loyalty and her heart divided. Then danger from outside threatens to destroy both worlds—and both the young men she cares for.
The paranormal romance/love triangle is a fairly well-established trope in YA literature, and this is a competently written, engaging entry into that field. Sure to appeal to fans of Maggie Stiefvater’s “Shiver” series.
February 21, 2016
To be honest I’m not sure where to begin with this. The simple truth is that I had a hard time getting into this book and it was a struggle for me to finish it. The premise was good, but the execution was not there. The beginning seemed to be going well. Jess was an interesting lead and Finn, despite his stalker tendencies, was a good romantic lead. And then it came to a grinding halt—the middle of the book had so much filler I had to skip pages in order to stave off boredom. I think the nail in the coffin for me was the awkward love triangle between Magnus, Jess, and Finn.
I really wanted to like this book. I really wanted to read more about the kelpies and the world they live in. I wanted more emotion from the characters. Instead, the only thing I got was the relief I felt when I was able to finish the book and delete it from my kindle.
**NetGalley generously provided me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.**
I really wanted to like this book. I really wanted to read more about the kelpies and the world they live in. I wanted more emotion from the characters. Instead, the only thing I got was the relief I felt when I was able to finish the book and delete it from my kindle.
**NetGalley generously provided me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.**
July 10, 2014
This story is creative and wonderful. Our protagonist, Jess, might mull over the questions below:
Ever felt like someone was watching you? What if they were watching? What if they watched you from another world? Or in the form of an animal in your world? And once met in human form, they become fascinating, even stretching into love... while you family rejects the very idea of the existence of this race of Kelpies he belongs to?
The unbelievable world BENEATH the pond is a kelpie world, very different than our mundane world. It's more real than reality is, everything more intense to all the senses.
Jess ends up in a love triangle with two very different boys -- both have watched her grow up, only one is her own race. Both have lost their hearts to her. What will she choose?
Ever felt like someone was watching you? What if they were watching? What if they watched you from another world? Or in the form of an animal in your world? And once met in human form, they become fascinating, even stretching into love... while you family rejects the very idea of the existence of this race of Kelpies he belongs to?
The unbelievable world BENEATH the pond is a kelpie world, very different than our mundane world. It's more real than reality is, everything more intense to all the senses.
Jess ends up in a love triangle with two very different boys -- both have watched her grow up, only one is her own race. Both have lost their hearts to her. What will she choose?
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February 29, 2016I did like this book but not very much. The book started out okay, but towards the middle got confusing. For instance, at one point Jess (main character) was talking about her father, and the next she's picking berries with her best friend. Although I did like the middle. The adventure she went on with her new friend Finn, was really great and exciting. The two of them along with Jess's friend Freya had to escape from the other world (Finn's home) The ending on the other hand was not my favorite part. Jess had the choice to stay in the underworld with Finn, or stay in the mortal world with her friends and family. I was hoping Jess would choose the underworld, but instead she decided to stay in the mortal world, because she didn't want to forget/loose her family and friends.
May 28, 2014
I've been lucky the last three books I've read are excellent and this is no exception, I love fantasy books anyway especially based around mythology I always imagine the characters when I read and I could see every bit of this when I read it so very well written more please Gill :o)
September 9, 2015
I really did like this story, the writing was easy, and I liked the surprise at the end. However, I just couldn't quite give it 4 stars. I wish we could rate at least half stars because I would give this a 3.6 to 3.8. Beneath is definitely a good read when you want something light.
January 4, 2015
3.5 stars
May 19, 2014
That sucked
September 16, 2014
I really like this book I couldn't put it down, although quite scary
October 1, 2015
What is with that ending?!?! I'll write an actual review when I have more time to think about it....
January 10, 2016
This book was really boring in the beginning ,but in the middle of the story got really interesting! This book is great for people who like mystery!
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April 7, 2019Well it was a really good book but I thought that maybe Jess should've gone with Finn in the end to his world instead of staying with magnus. Opinions??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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