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Below the Tides
Growing up in the inner-city ghetto of South Philly, eighteen-year-old River Matthews always felt different. It's not just her biracial heritage that makes her stand out. In a neighborhood where most of the girls are too concerned with getting their hair wet, River's love of the ocean makes her an enigma.
On a rainy night where she is saved by a handsome, albeit strange stranger, River finally learns the truth of her missing heritage.
Whisked away to the underwater world of Arcaccia, she finds the father she always wondered about, a brother she didn't know existed, a love she wasn't looking for, and a world she would do anything to save
Join this inner-city girl as she as goes on an adventure of a lifetime and finds love, and the family she didn't know she was missing.
On a rainy night where she is saved by a handsome, albeit strange stranger, River finally learns the truth of her missing heritage.
Whisked away to the underwater world of Arcaccia, she finds the father she always wondered about, a brother she didn't know existed, a love she wasn't looking for, and a world she would do anything to save
Join this inner-city girl as she as goes on an adventure of a lifetime and finds love, and the family she didn't know she was missing.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2024
7 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 11, 2025
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. I like the story. I liked that it takes place in Philly. I just didn't think it needed all the profanity to make the story - it was a good story without it.
May 3, 2025
S.R. Harris plunges readers into a richly imagined undersea world with Below the Tides, a young adult fantasy that deftly weaves urban grit with aquatic magic, family legacy, and self-discovery. River, a biracial girl from Philadelphia, always felt drawn to the water. But when she learns her father is the ruler of a hidden underwater kingdom, Arcaccia, her fascination transforms into a destiny that will upend her world—and possibly save it.
River is a strong, layered protagonist: grounded, witty, vulnerable, and brave. Her journey is full of twists—from discovering the truth about her lineage to confronting betrayal and love beneath the waves. The depiction of her tight bond with her best friend Mecca adds warmth and humor, while her evolving romance with Sylas brings moments of intensity and tenderness.
What makes Below the Tides stand out is its blend of voice and world-building. Harris gives us everything from tight-knit friendships to political intrigue, from immersive battle scenes to tearful reunions. The tone moves effortlessly between laugh-out-loud funny and soul-piercingly emotional.
The underwater kingdom of Arcaccia feels alive—complete with shimmering domes, magical communication through water, and a rich mythology built on ancestral duty and magic. The themes of identity, chosen family, and empowerment are threaded throughout without feeling forced.
While the novel leans heavily into romance and adventure, it’s the deeply personal stakes—River’s struggle to define herself amidst chaos—that resonate the most.
Find my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2025/05/02/r...
River is a strong, layered protagonist: grounded, witty, vulnerable, and brave. Her journey is full of twists—from discovering the truth about her lineage to confronting betrayal and love beneath the waves. The depiction of her tight bond with her best friend Mecca adds warmth and humor, while her evolving romance with Sylas brings moments of intensity and tenderness.
What makes Below the Tides stand out is its blend of voice and world-building. Harris gives us everything from tight-knit friendships to political intrigue, from immersive battle scenes to tearful reunions. The tone moves effortlessly between laugh-out-loud funny and soul-piercingly emotional.
The underwater kingdom of Arcaccia feels alive—complete with shimmering domes, magical communication through water, and a rich mythology built on ancestral duty and magic. The themes of identity, chosen family, and empowerment are threaded throughout without feeling forced.
While the novel leans heavily into romance and adventure, it’s the deeply personal stakes—River’s struggle to define herself amidst chaos—that resonate the most.
Find my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2025/05/02/r...
August 3, 2025
Thank you goodreads for the giveaway. I don't have much to say on this book, though.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews