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Knockdown #1
Knockdown
A sail boat can tip over and come back up again. Sailors call this a knockdown.
In eighteen hours a mega tsunami will hit the Pacific Coast. It will leave in its wake massive destruction and the threat of an ice age.
Sixteen-year-old Toni, her brothers, and their friends race the clock as they sail Toni’s family boat far out to sea. They must get beyond where the wave crests, or the boat will be crushed.
Without their parents to guide them, the reluctant crew improvises. Romances bloom and tempers flare. There is no privacy. Cell phones won’t work. The engine breaks down. They are running out of time.
Even if they survive the wave, there is nowhere in this ravaged world to go. When disaster strikes, it is up to Toni to find the strength to lead the crew when her brothers cannot.
14+ for violence and adult situations
In eighteen hours a mega tsunami will hit the Pacific Coast. It will leave in its wake massive destruction and the threat of an ice age.
Sixteen-year-old Toni, her brothers, and their friends race the clock as they sail Toni’s family boat far out to sea. They must get beyond where the wave crests, or the boat will be crushed.
Without their parents to guide them, the reluctant crew improvises. Romances bloom and tempers flare. There is no privacy. Cell phones won’t work. The engine breaks down. They are running out of time.
Even if they survive the wave, there is nowhere in this ravaged world to go. When disaster strikes, it is up to Toni to find the strength to lead the crew when her brothers cannot.
14+ for violence and adult situations
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
3 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 11, 2021
This book is fantastic! So smartly written. A group of teenagers on a sailboat try to survive a giant tsunami and the devastation left behind. I smiled and I cried for them, but mostly I was rooting for them from the first chapter! Smart, likeable characters.
December 16, 2014
Knockdown...wow. What a book! In the very opening pages of Knockdown the reader is thrown right into action. The story begins with Toni and her brothers facing a natural disaster so big it seems no one will survive, and survival is at the heart of this gripping novel.
It is clear the author knows her stuff in regards to tsunamis, the devastation they can leave behind and what it takes to survive in the middle of the ocean.
The synopsis of this novel caught my eye as I love dystopian-like novels and have a great love of the ocean. Add those two together, thrown in a cast of believable and memorable characters and you have one shining gem of a novel.
Ms. Beem's novel is thrilling, page turning, and sure to leave any reader breathless!
It is clear the author knows her stuff in regards to tsunamis, the devastation they can leave behind and what it takes to survive in the middle of the ocean.
The synopsis of this novel caught my eye as I love dystopian-like novels and have a great love of the ocean. Add those two together, thrown in a cast of believable and memorable characters and you have one shining gem of a novel.
Ms. Beem's novel is thrilling, page turning, and sure to leave any reader breathless!
October 1, 2014
Wow, what a rollercoaster ride this was! Knockdown is such an amazing book that I'd recommend it to anyone who likes YA and survival stories. It's suspenseful, action-packed, fast-paced, and the dialogue feels natural and sharp.
But Knockdown doesn't rely solely on the suspense and the natural disaster scenario to keep the reader entertained. What really got me were the characters. Character development was superb. I loved each and everyone of them simply because they were so well-written and so authentic. But my favourite was Cole. (Poor Cole!)
Even nature and the boat acted as characters in the novel, and that made the story feel so much more realistic. The stakes were real, the tension palpable, and the pace was nerve-wracking.
I just hope the novel gets a sequel.
But Knockdown doesn't rely solely on the suspense and the natural disaster scenario to keep the reader entertained. What really got me were the characters. Character development was superb. I loved each and everyone of them simply because they were so well-written and so authentic. But my favourite was Cole. (Poor Cole!)
Even nature and the boat acted as characters in the novel, and that made the story feel so much more realistic. The stakes were real, the tension palpable, and the pace was nerve-wracking.
I just hope the novel gets a sequel.
June 23, 2014
This is one of the best YA books I've read in a long time. The characters are developed very well (a pet peeve of mine), the plot is constructed with care, and a lot of thought was definitely put to it, and the story is unique - far from so many cookie cutter YA books.
We have teenagers struggling to survive a terrifying natural disaster, friendships tested, love blossoming against all odds, laughter, thrilling moments, and some very realistic, tears-inducing tragic. A great action is perfectly blended with human emotions and delivered to the reader in one polished package. A definite FIVE star debut. Bravo, Ms. Beem!
We have teenagers struggling to survive a terrifying natural disaster, friendships tested, love blossoming against all odds, laughter, thrilling moments, and some very realistic, tears-inducing tragic. A great action is perfectly blended with human emotions and delivered to the reader in one polished package. A definite FIVE star debut. Bravo, Ms. Beem!
July 15, 2017
Exciting story
The story kept me reading all the way to the end. I couldn't put it down. The action and emotion felt very real. Knocked down one star for the editing errors, but still a great read.
The story kept me reading all the way to the end. I couldn't put it down. The action and emotion felt very real. Knocked down one star for the editing errors, but still a great read.
January 7, 2016
16-year old Toni, her two brothers and a couple of friends are in for the fight of a lifetime. When the news spreads out that a Tsunami, with a size no one has ever seen before, will hit the Pacific Coast Toni and her brothers rush to their sail boat. They only have 18 hours to go and find safety until this devastating force of nature will hit land.
Before they sail off they gather as much supplies, food and water as they can get. This is not an easy task, because other people with the same ideas are not willing to share. After it becomes clear that Toni's parents will not be on time to reach the boat the teenagers make the difficult choice to face this terror alone. They must hurry and get beyond the worst of the Tsunami to survive. A sailboat can tip over and come back up again. This is called a knockdown. The teenagers are hoping that if they can secure the boat well enough and get out on sea far enough they will survive.
Toni's parents have left them with the directions to an Island. They are planning to go there and to be reunited with their loved ones.
This story had my heart on lockdown ever since the first lines. The fact that a Tsunami can be a real life threat made it so believable. Toni and her brothers know what to do on a sailboat. Their parents taught them well. It broke my heart when they sailed off into the unknown to face this all on their own.
Brenda Beem made all of the characters strong with their own strengths each. I loved reading about them and how they grew during their journey. Even with all the grief, sadness and the possibility of dying they found happiness in little things. They never gave up and kept on fighting to reach their goal. The fact that the author chose such a believable fear made this story so real for me. I absolutely loved Knockdown and didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to be reading the sequel, Beached, to find out what happens next.
Before they sail off they gather as much supplies, food and water as they can get. This is not an easy task, because other people with the same ideas are not willing to share. After it becomes clear that Toni's parents will not be on time to reach the boat the teenagers make the difficult choice to face this terror alone. They must hurry and get beyond the worst of the Tsunami to survive. A sailboat can tip over and come back up again. This is called a knockdown. The teenagers are hoping that if they can secure the boat well enough and get out on sea far enough they will survive.
Toni's parents have left them with the directions to an Island. They are planning to go there and to be reunited with their loved ones.
This story had my heart on lockdown ever since the first lines. The fact that a Tsunami can be a real life threat made it so believable. Toni and her brothers know what to do on a sailboat. Their parents taught them well. It broke my heart when they sailed off into the unknown to face this all on their own.
Brenda Beem made all of the characters strong with their own strengths each. I loved reading about them and how they grew during their journey. Even with all the grief, sadness and the possibility of dying they found happiness in little things. They never gave up and kept on fighting to reach their goal. The fact that the author chose such a believable fear made this story so real for me. I absolutely loved Knockdown and didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to be reading the sequel, Beached, to find out what happens next.
August 8, 2014
Toni and her brothers are familiar with sailing and know enough about it to take their parents' boat straight into a mega-tsunami. It’s called a knockdown: when a boat is secured, it tips over and rights itself with little or no damage. With people trying to reach high land—perhaps in vain since the tsunami is going to be so big—Toni, her siblings, and their friends, minus their parents, are going into the ocean.
With all the young people on board worried about their families and the state of the planet—they’re hearing horrible things over the radio—there are fights, rivalries, and even romance. Not only are they battling each other, but they battle the rough ocean as well as other survivors out there who will do anything to stay alive.
This book is suspenseful and reads fast. I liked all the characters, even the annoying princess Zoe, because both their weaknesses and strengths were evident during this grueling situation. The character development was fantastic. I didn’t want the book to end and hope the story continues.
With all the young people on board worried about their families and the state of the planet—they’re hearing horrible things over the radio—there are fights, rivalries, and even romance. Not only are they battling each other, but they battle the rough ocean as well as other survivors out there who will do anything to stay alive.
This book is suspenseful and reads fast. I liked all the characters, even the annoying princess Zoe, because both their weaknesses and strengths were evident during this grueling situation. The character development was fantastic. I didn’t want the book to end and hope the story continues.
June 14, 2014
I loved this book. It’s hard to put down, and it has everything I could possibly want in a novel: lots of action, suspense with real stakes, sweet romance, and an original plot. I like stories of survival against impossible odds.
The suspense is almost unbearable at a times, but the lighthearted, humorous moments are there to give the characters respite and hope. It even has moral and ethical questions (I wouldn’t want to make the hard decision those teenagers had to make). My favorite characters are without a doubt, Toni, Takumi, and the Whistler (yes, the boat is a great character). I felt like I lived in the Whistler, and that made the story even more real and urgent. Toni is a one of a kind character, a real life girl who struggles at first, but grows and shows remarkable strength under unimaginable duress.
It’s a fast-paced, engrossing novel: engaging characters, excellent plotting, sharp and realistic dialogue. I’m hoping for a sequel.
The suspense is almost unbearable at a times, but the lighthearted, humorous moments are there to give the characters respite and hope. It even has moral and ethical questions (I wouldn’t want to make the hard decision those teenagers had to make). My favorite characters are without a doubt, Toni, Takumi, and the Whistler (yes, the boat is a great character). I felt like I lived in the Whistler, and that made the story even more real and urgent. Toni is a one of a kind character, a real life girl who struggles at first, but grows and shows remarkable strength under unimaginable duress.
It’s a fast-paced, engrossing novel: engaging characters, excellent plotting, sharp and realistic dialogue. I’m hoping for a sequel.
July 4, 2014
Knockdown is the kind of book that will have you up late at night and on the edge of your seat. The story begins in Seattle, and is told from the viewpoint of 16-year-old Toni. A mega tsunami is about to hit the west coast, and Toni, her brothers, and a group of friends are instructed to steer the family sailboat out into open water before the wave destroys everything in its path.
This gripping tale of survival is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Even the sailboat becomes a central character in the story. The teens’ remarkable strength is evident as they battle the ocean, desperate people, and the will to go on. Two thumbs up!
This gripping tale of survival is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Even the sailboat becomes a central character in the story. The teens’ remarkable strength is evident as they battle the ocean, desperate people, and the will to go on. Two thumbs up!
January 14, 2017
Why did I love this book? Was it the suspenseful, action packed, exciting plot? Superb characters? Intensity? The fact that it takes place in Seattle and if this really happened I would be dead? Okay maybe not the last one, but the rest for sure. Great for anyone looking for an action packed exciting read to sweep you away for a while.
Read
December 29, 2018A wild ride of a story. A classic page turner that explores the aftermath of a devastating tsunami and a group of teens who struggle to survive on the family's sailboat alone. Ending is one page away from the sequel, which I found myself most eager to read.
September 12, 2016
Aaq
I really enjoyed this book. because I couldn't put it down. Now I see there's a Part II. I'm off to get that now.
I really enjoyed this book. because I couldn't put it down. Now I see there's a Part II. I'm off to get that now.
Read
October 17, 2017A good book that is about a bunch of teenagers that try to survive a tsunami.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews