The Transcendent Tide (3)

The Enceladons #3

by Doug Johnstone

Lennox, Vonnie and Ava head to Greenland to meet up with Heather, Sandy and the Enceladons, commencing an epic showdown that will change everything … The emotive, devastating yet ultimately life-affirming conclusion to the bestselling Enceladons Trilogy, as seen on BBC2's Between the Covers…

'A barnstorming thriller … and a wonderful and radical sense of a greater, wider way of seeing life on our planet' Martin MacInnes

`Science fiction gains a new author´ Derek B. Miller

______

It's been eighteen months since the traumatic events of The Collapsing Wave, where the Enceladons escaped the clutches of the American military intent on exterminating the peaceful alien creatures.

Lennox and Vonnie have been lying low in the Scottish Highlands, Ava has been caring for her young daughter Chloe, and Heather is adjusting to her new life with Sandy and the other Enceladons in the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Greenland. But fate is about to bring them together again for one last battle.

When Lennox and Vonnie are visited by Karl Jensen, a Norwegian billionaire intent on making contact with the Enceladons again, they are wary of subjecting the aliens to further dangers. But when word arrives that Ava's daughter has suffered an attack and might die without urgent help, they reluctantly make the trip to Greenland, where they enlist the vital help of local woman Niviaq.

It's not long before they're drawn into a complex web of lies, deceit and death. What is Karl's company really up to? Why are sea creatures attacking boats? Why is Sandy acting so strangely, and why are polar bears getting involved?

Profound, ambitious and immensely moving, The Transcendent Tide is the epic conclusion to the Enceladons Trilogy – a final showdown between the best and worst of humanity, the animal kingdom and the Enceladons. The future of life on earth will be changed forever, but not everyone will survive to see it…

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Praise for The Enceladons Trilogy

**Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers 2023**

**Longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year**

`A gateway book to sci-fi … I loved it´ Sara Cox

`So readable and accessible´ Alan Davies

`If you read one life-affirming book this year, make sure it's this one´ Nina Pottell, Prima

`Prioritising pace, tension and high stakes … a plea for empathy, compassion and perspective´ Herald Scotland

`An emotionally engaging read´ Guardian

`A delicious, demanding departure´ Val McDermid

`As moving as it is magical and mysterious´ Mark Billingham

`A first-contact tale full of heart and high-octane action´ D.V. Bishop

`An adrenaline-filled ride of a novel, laced with empathy and understanding´ Rachelle Atalla

`Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film´ Marnie Riches

`Clever and unusual … I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed´ Susi Holliday

`A mesmerising tale of wonder and hope´ Marion To

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Doug Johnstone is a writer, musician and journalist based in Edinburgh. His fourth novel, Hit & Run, was published by Faber and Faber in 2012. His previous novel, Smokeheads, was published in March 2011, also by Faber. Before that he published two novels with Penguin, Tombstoning (2006) and The Ossians (2008), which received praise from the likes of Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin and Christopher Brookmyre. Doug is currently writer in residence at the University of Strathclyde. He has had short stories appear in various publications, and since 1999 he has worked as a freelance arts journalist, primarily covering music and literature. He grew up in Arbroath and lives in Portobello, Edinburgh with his wife and two children. He loves drinking malt whisky and playing football, not necessarily at the same time.

Reviews

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been eighteen months since the traumatic events featured in The Collapsing Wave.

Lennox and Vonnie are studying marine life at SAMS, the Scottish Association for Marine Science.

Ava and her two-year-old daughter, Chloe, have been staying at Freya’s, Ava’s sister.

Heather transformed into a part Enceladon creature and is now living in the waters of the Arctic with Sandy and the other Enceladons (For those who never read any books in this series: the Enceladons are intelligent octopus and giant jellyfish creatures from Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moon).

Then, Karl Jensen, a billionaire, approaches Lennox and Vonnie, and he wants for them to make contact with Sandy and the other Enceladons. Are his motives true? Or is everyone facing danger… again?

This is the last book in the Enceladons Trilogy and I am going to miss Sandy and his crew.

There has been a change in Sandy; a certain hardness to his character. I imagine it was caused by what he and his fellow creatures have endured at the hands of humans. This change has saddened me immensely, as before he was trusting, and wanted to live in peace and harmony.

I loved the addition of the new character, Niviaq, an Innuit woman living in Greenland.

In this book, the author portrays how much of the ocean is unknown to us. He also shows how the Inuit people are connected to the land and live in line with nature, as opposed to the West.

The majority of the Western society have been living against the nature and are disconnected from it. They simply don’t understand it.

All three books in the trilogy are profound in so many ways. I found them thought-provoking, but also deeply moving.

I definitely recommend the whole trilogy.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read each and every one of Doug Johnstone's books.
There was one line which really stuck out for me in this book.
1] 'That's a ship full of polar bears' for the comedy. [Please read the book for context]
A computer geek billionaire knew of Sandy and wanted to meet them to help their environment and assure a future for them in Greenland.
Greed as per human behaviour got in the way.
This book confirmed to me that animals are much better than humans.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series by Doug Johnstone, especially as I really like dipping my toe into science fiction, from time to time, and I have a big interest in astrophysics. But, as I have said before when I’ve reviewed these books, this isn’t just another science fiction novel. It is so much more than that, and The Transcendent Tide proves this yet again.

One of the most intriguing discoveries made in the solar system recently is the fact that Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, like Europa orbiting Jupiter, has an ocean beneath its icy surface. Could these worlds be home to life? Enceladus is where the creatures in The Transcendent Tide, and in this series, are from. They are, of course, fictional, but Doug Johnstone makes them and their plight feel so real. Over the course of these three novels, the Enceladons have now made Earth their home and are adapting to life here. But in the latest book, something is changing in a big way, which will put Lennox, Vonnie, Ava and Heather to the test.

In the beginning of The Transcendent Tide, Ava is devastated when she learns the news that her daughter, Chloe, has a brain tumour. After the heartbreaking news is delivered by the doctors, Ava knows the only ones who can help Chloe are the Enceledons. But as she sets out to try to find them, to ask them to help save her daughter’s life, like they once did before, she doesn’t realise just how much has changed. The tension as Ava sets out on her quest never lets up, and I could feel her desperation and anguish. The energy in the world appears to be changing, and it’ll soon reach dangerous levels. I was getting really concerned about how much the Enceledons appeared to have changed since they arrived, but I don’t want to go into too much detail here.

There is some really strong character development in this book. I thought this particularly with Heather, and she really interested me. There are some other suspicious characters, who Doug Johnstone introduces us to, and I thought this particularly with, Karl Jensen, who makes contact with Lennox and Vonnie. Although he comes across as a nice guy with a caring nature, something about him just didn’t ring true.

I particularly liked the change of setting in this novel to Greenland, where the Enceledons are now hiding. This change as well, brings along some new, fascinating characters, including Niviaq. I thought this really added depth to this series and Doug Johnstone makes us feel as though we are living and experiencing this world.

The final chapters really are intense and they are so cinematic. I would definitely advise, to get the most out of this book, that you should read the first two books in the series. You will not be disappointed.

I thought Doug Johnstone wrote such a powerful ending for this book. It really made me stop and think. It is definitely hard saying goodbye, but I’m sure these characters will live with me for a long time to come, especially Sandy. The Transcendent Tide is an outstanding read and a magnificent end to this series.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting installment of this wonderfully weird but also very relevant exploration of alien life, othering, capitalism and greed.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. I knew reading this was going to be hard but I was so not ready for what Mr Johnstone unleashes on our favourite extraterrestrial refugees this time around, and by extension us poor readers. Saying goodbye is always emotional, but, by heck, this particular goodbye hits hard. I never thought I would get to attached to such a mismatched group of characters and their octopoid, jellyfish-esque friends but there you go. I have and this book hurt. If you love the series, then arm yourself with tissues as tears are guaranteed.

Tears and anger. For this book is about more than a friendship, or kinship if you like, that spans across species. This book is a sad indictment of the current political and capitalist landscape, and a shining example of why human beings should not be allowed to have nice things. Not everybody is unworthy, and Lennox, Ava, and Heather have proven time and again that there are some people left of the planet who are willing to fight for the rights of others, even if those others are far from their own kind. But, once again, the antagonists in this book show the darker, more cynical side of humanity, and how this can dampen even the brightest spirit. When all is said and done, this is a story about refugees, and as in present times, people's opinion on how these particular refugees, the Enceladons, should be treated, vary greatly. Some would see them destroyed, but only after they have been exploited for their own gain. And there are those, such as Lennox and co, who will fight to the death to protect them. I cannot even imagine where Doug Johnstone gets his inspiration from ...

This is such a hard book to review. So much I want to say, but so much that needs to be left unsaid to allow readers to experience it for themselves. It is a story that had me feeling all the emotions, from fear to anger, happiness to tears. I felt a kind of hope at times, but also a weary acceptance that, as any forensic scientist might tell you, any human contact leaves a trace, and sadly, in this case, that contact felt destined to end badly. But, in amongst all of this sadness, and the subtle, and not so subtle, political statements, there is a real pulsing tension, a lot of action and a whole bunch of what ifs asked. Because as much as the fact that human contact leaves a trace is true, the same can be said for the Enceladons and, after taking up residence in the waters of Greenland, they have been making quite the stir amongst some of the 'residents'. This part of the book may surprise, but it is one of the elements I truly enjoyed, in a perverse way, and that unusual band of protestors are the lind you really cannot help but love.

One of the things in this series that has really made it such a joy to read has been the characters, particularly Lennox, Ava, Heather and their Enceladon buddy, Sandy. The family has been extended over the series, with the addition of Lennox's girlfriend, Vonnie, Ava's daughter, Chloe, and Xander, another of the Enceladons. Doug Johnstone has created such beautifully spirited characters in each of them, that spending time in their company is a true joy, and what comes to pass hits especially hard as a result. It is because of Chloe, and sudden onset of seizures and strokes, that Lennox, Vonnie and Ava find themselves travelling to Greenland to seek help, a situation which precipitates all that comes to pass, although it felt almost inevitable that it would happen regardless.

When thee group are in trouble or in pain, there is an almost visceral reaction from me as I read it. When they are happy, it makes me smile, and when in pain or danger, I feel the requisite sadness or anger. And though the Enceladons are a work of fiction and a very fertile imagination, the world that Doug Johnstone has created has such an air of plausibility and believability about it, that I simply want to get wrapped up in their world. And this world has been extended in this final episode, to include the local Greenlanders, particularly one, Niviaq, who becomes pivotal in the battle that is to come. I love how Doug Johnstone has taken time to express the respect that Greenlanders have for the land, for the creatures who live there with them, and that sense of symbiosis between humans and nature that flies in the face of traditional capitalism, responsible for most of the ills that befall our friends in this story.

So much energy in those final chapters. Intensity, action, edge of the seat and adrenalin packed storytelling of the finest order. I already loved polar bears, cutesy boulders of cuddly white ferociousness, but if anything I think I love them even more now. When you read it, you'll understand. And then that ending. A blend of tragedy and magnificence. Heartbreaking and inspiring all at once, with a trace of uncertain ambiguity in the very final line. The what ifs that remain unanswered, leaving it to us as readers to decide what might possibly happen next. And then that hollow feeling. That sense of being left bereft when the final page is turned, knowing that it is the very, very end. Safe to say that Mr Johnstone has absolutely nailed it once again.

[Mary Picken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug Johnstone’s The Transcendent Tide is the epic, heart-pounding finale to the Enceladons Trilogy—and it’s a wild ride. Aliens in hiding, a billionaire with dangerous secrets, polar bears on the rampage, and a showdown on the ice that will rip your heart out. Fierce, fast, and full of feeling, this is eco-thriller meets family drama with an emotional punch. I rooted for the humans, ached for the Enceladons, and thought twice about who the real monsters are.

The Transcendent Tide is a fittingly bold and emotionally charged finale to the Enceladons Trilogy, a series that has always blended speculative fiction with the taut pacing of a thriller. As in the earlier books, Johnstone refuses to let the reader settle: every page brims with unease, questions of loyalty, and the tension of humans grappling with forces they can’t fully control or comprehend.

The novel picks up eighteen months after the escape of the Enceladons, the enigmatic yet gentle alien beings hunted by the U.S. military. Lennox and Vonnie’s seclusion in the Scottish Highlands, Ava’s quiet life with her young daughter Chloe, and Heather’s immersion in Greenland alongside Sandy and the Enceladons provide a deceptive calm. That stillness is shattered by a convergence of crises: Chloe’s medical emergency, Karl Jensen’s sudden appearance with a corporate agenda, and strange, almost apocalyptic signals in the natural world. As with the best thrillers, the novel thrives on the sense that danger is never far away and that the protagonists are walking into traps they only partly see.

Johnstone excels at writing characters under pressure. Lennox, loyal to a fault. Vonnie, razor-sharp and sceptical. Ava, driven by maternal desperation. Heather, bridging two worlds with quiet resilience. Into this mix comes Niviaq, a Greenlander whose knowledge of land and sea is vital. She’s the heart of the local perspective, grounding the action in authenticity and reminding us what’s truly at stake.

And then there are the Enceladons themselves. Johnstone refuses to let them be mere sci-fi curiosities. He writes them with tenderness, empathy, and an almost aching sense of fragility. They are hunted, misunderstood, exploited—but they’re also symbols of coexistence and hope. Through Heather and Sandy’s bond with them, we feel their fear and their longing for peace. Their survival becomes our fight, too.

What makes The Transcendent Tide sing is its balance of breathless thriller beats with big, weighty questions. Who controls the future—those who exploit, or those who nurture? Can humanity ever learn to live alongside the other? The plot hums with menace. Sea creatures attacking vessels, polar bears behaving erratically, Sandy’s strange new behaviour—all these threads weave into a sinister web that kept me turning the pages. Johnstone’s knack for pacing means there are no lulls: each revelation tightens the screw, while questions persist about Karl Jensen’s motives and the company he fronts.

Underlying all this is a profound empathy for the Enceladons. Johnstone portrays them not as otherworldly curiosities but as beings of vulnerability, grace and suffering. Their persecution by human greed echoes colonial exploitation and ecological destruction, while their bond with Heather and Sandy humanises them further. The writing insists that you feel their fear, grief, and longing for peace—making their fate inseparable from our own.

The Greenland setting is spectacular and terrifying. It’s cold seas, hostile ice, unpredictable nature—and it’s alive. The land and water shape every twist of the plot. The Greenlanders, especially through Niviaq, bring texture and integrity. Greenland is stark, perilous, and beautiful, a stage on which humanity’s hubris and the Enceladons’ fragility play out. The land and sea are not passive backdrops but active forces: unpredictable, sometimes hostile, and always shaping events. The inclusion of Greenlanders like Niviaq highlights community, heritage, and the lived reality of those most affected by global power plays.

Verdict: An adrenaline-fuelled, heart-wrenching showdown that fuses eco-thriller tension with raw human drama. At its heart, The Transcendent Tide is about survival, trust, and coexistence. It questions who truly belongs in the world—those who exploit, or those who live in harmony with it. Johnstone closes his trilogy with a finale that is both thrilling and heartbreaking, leaving us to reflect on the cost of peace and the courage required to achieve it. The Transcendent Tide is devastating, pulse-pounding, and strangely hopeful. And you’ll never look at a polar bear the same way again.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trilogy about alien octopus and jellyfish like creatures who correspond telepathically with a small group of humans doesn't perhaps sound like a deeply moving, perceptive read but the Enceladons Trilogy is written by Doug Johnstone and I don't think there's a better writer when it comes to exploring human behaviour – and that's what this brilliant series is really about. The Transcendent Tide is the third book in the trilogy and I urge you to read the previous novels, The Space Between Us and The Collapsing Wave, if you haven't already. The heartrending story of Sandy, the cephalopod-like entity who arrived on Earth in search of a new home with their fellow Enceladons really deserves to be read in its entirety.
Eighteen months have passed since the terrible events at New Broom, a makeshift US military base and the scars still run deep. Ava has been adjusting to motherhood with her daughter, Chloe, Lennox and Vonnie have retreated to the Scottish Highlands where they are studying marine science, and after making the extraordinary decision to stay with the Enceladons, Heather is adjusting to becoming a marine creature herself, while still not yet able to let go of her humanness entirely. This small, disparate group have formed unbreakable bonds however, and while Lennox and Vonnie are understandably reticent when a Norwegian billionaire approaches them because he wants to make contact with the aliens, they don't hesitate when they learn Chloe is desperately ill and needs Sandy's help.
Sandy and Heather are delighted to be reunited with their friends and despite Ava's fears, she trusts Sandy and Xander, their symbiotic jellyfish partner but once again, they are betrayed by greed and megalomania. The Enceladons are desperately vulnerable but it becomes clear that Sandy's close contact with humans has affected how they fight back.
All of the characters are facing immense changes in their lives but hope for a better future proves to be difficult as they are confronted with mortal danger and the worst of humanity yet again. Therefore, the chemistry kindled between Ava and an Inuit woman, Niviaq, in spite of everything, is a touching development. Niviaq's introduction is vital to proceedings as it's through her we gain some understanding of the Greenlanders' relationship with nature and their belief in reciprocity. Connection has been the overarching theme throughout the trilogy; whether through the telepathic abilities triggered in humans who communicate with Sandy or the complex, shared collectiveness of the Enceladons and it becomes more important than ever here.
Doug Johnstone takes pains to ensure life in this remote part of the world is never idealised and indeed, we learn that suicide rates among young people in Greenland are scandalously high but nevertheless, their sense of community is still present. This becomes extended further in an extraordinary development which is both awe-inspiring and terrifying to envisage. It shouldn't be surprising that Sandy has communicated with other beings beyond humans but their horrendous ordeals and the brutality they have been subjected to has inevitably influenced the knowledge they have passed on to their fellow sea creatures. As marine life turns on the humans who exploit the oceans, it's impossible not to be affected by the unsettling juxtaposition between wanting to cheer them on while being horrified by the violence which ensues and what this means. Perhaps most poignant of all is the transformation we see in Sandy as it becomes obvious that just as the Enceladons have impacted people, so human behaviour has influenced the behaviour of the aliens.
Doug Johnstone's beautifully descriptive, empathetic writing meant I was totally invested in the lives of these characters throughout and as the dramatic, tragic events unfold, the sense of tension is unbearable. There is hope here with the intriguing suggestion that human and animal kind could become more interconnected than ever; however, Doug Johnstone never patronises with sentimental, easy solutions. In a book filled with light and shade, it's perhaps only right that the future should remain uncertain – I can only keep my fingers crossed that this means we may revisit the Enceladons again in the future. The Transcendent Tide is a gripping, profoundly insightful and emotional conclusion to this masterful trilogy and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a bitter sweet experience when you approach the final book of a trilogy which I, and many other readers, have become so emotionally invested in. Following on from The Space Between Us and The Collapsing Wave, we have reached the final instalment of this wonderfully meditative and thoroughly unique series, and I cannot help feeling a little sad…

As with the previous books in this series, Johnstone sets the readers and reviewers the hefty challenge of not only trying to avoid major plot spoilers, of which there could be many, but also weaving the story to its conclusion with a satisfying ending, ramping the emotional tension up as the plot unfolds. With this in mind, I am simply going to share some of my random thoughts during the reading of the book, as (a) I thought it would be fun, and (b) maybe some little intriguing nuggets to tempt you in further…

< I’m only on page 5 and already I’m feeling tense.>







< The gang is back together.>



< This woman is bad to the bone.>



< I can’t believe these people are doing this. Humans suck>



< God, I’m really tense now.>

< No, not ——.>



< Will try not to cry.>

< Where’s my tissues?>



Seriously though, as I said of The Collapsing Wave, Johnstone never fails to completely immerse us into a disturbing narrative, with the theme of connection, the human heart under stress, the arrogance inherent in unchecked power, and how exceptionalism can be both a force for evil and good, all undercut with small moments of hope and reciprocity between ourselves and nature. As we view the endeavours of Lennox, Vonnie, Ava, Heather and Niviaq to protect the Enceladons, and by extension the natural world in all its strange and wondrous beauty, you can’t help but concur with Johnstone’s overriding message that,

“If you were happy to destroy habitats and massacre animals, why not alien creatures or humans too. Thinking you were more important than nature was the first step on a slippery slope.”

As our intrepid band of survivors are once again inveigled in a sinister plot, Johnstone paces the book perfectly, and the way he separates and unites all of his characters, human and non-human alike keeps up the emotional tension throughout. You will find yourself feeling an array of emotions from anger to pity to sadness as the book goes on, but may also find yourself being further educated on not only a different culture and belief system, but also to take a step outside our own tangible environment into the marine and extra-terrestrial worlds of the non-human cohort of the story. As much as Johnstone seeks to educate the reader, this is always perfectly balanced with his intrinsic knack for storytelling, and perfect characterisation. Over the course of three books I feel so connected to these characters and their triumphs and failures, that yes, I did find elements of the final chapters incredibly emotionally moving. There was a tear. Or two…

All I can really say in closing is that you will be hard pushed to find a trilogy that exhibits such a consistency of narrative across three books, and that keeps you so invested in both the world Johnstone creates, and the characters that exist within it. It makes you feel less arrogant about the supposed superiority of the human race, and opens your mind further to the mindless exploitation of nature. There’s hope too, the power of good deeds and the mutual benefit of connection with others, a theme that Johnstone visits consistently both in this series, and through his writing generally. An absolutely terrific series and one that I would encourage everyone to read. Highly recommended.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighteen months have passed since the devastating events at the secret American military base, New Broom. The Enceladons have now fled Scottish waters in favour of a peaceful existence in the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Greenland, and the humans that chose to go with them are adjusting to a new kind of life as part of Sandy's alien community - including Heather.

Ava yearns for some normality for herself and her daughter Chloe, while Lennox and Vonnie are hiding out in the highlands, keen to avoid any further attention. But their hopes for a quiet life are disrupted when Chloe suddenly becomes ill; and Lennox and Vonnie are approached by Karl Jensen, a Norwegian billionaire who knows far too much about their secrets.

The friends head to Greenland for a reunion with the Enceladons, where Heather has been questioning what is going on between the formerly peaceful aliens and the Arctic wildlife in the wake of strange animal attacks - something local woman, Niviaq, has also been wondering about.

Will the Enceladons be able to help Chloe? Can they trust the motives of a man who has made his fortune from exploiting others? Or are they just walking into another trap...?

Welcome to The Transcendent Tide, the blistering conclusion of Doug Johnstone's epic speculative trilogy, The Enceladons, which builds upon all the twists and turns of The Space Between Us, and The Collapsing Wave, to make a third instalment packed with all the action, excitement, and riveting themes that I was hoping for.

Fate brings humans and aliens face-to-face once more in Arctic waters, and Johnstone keeps the thrill level at max through the introduction of a new character, billionaire Karl Jensen, whose motives are unsettlingly murky... and by doubling down on the 'who can you really trust' factor, he takes the Enceladons in a more confrontational direction (hardly surprising given past events) which raises questions about their intentions too.

Through the combined perspectives of Heather, Ava, Lennox, Vonnie, and the fabulous Niviaq, Johnstone steers the plot through many shades of suspicion as the consequences of lies, deception, and starkly different philosophies propel the characters towards a final, violent showdown - with the people of Greenland slap bang in the centre of the battlefield.

Against the Arctic backdrop, a suitably stormy blizzard of themes about the environment, friendship and community juxtapose those around the short-sighted interest of greedy corporations, and I loved how Johnstone has a ball with notions of 'the enemy of my enemy' and 'it's just business' throughout. Prepare to have your emotions get a through work-out, and have you thoughts provoked...

I am bereft that this is the final book of the series, but applaud Johnstone for leaving these characters on a hopeful note. He has certainly showed his hand when it comes to speculative fiction that does exactly what it should, and I very much hope he will decide to write more novels like this. Every scene, whether quiet and tender, or brutally visceral, has its place in making for a story that is so beautifully cinematic that if this series does not get an adaptation, it will surely be a crime against humanity (which certainly needs to learn the lessons Johnstone aims to teach his readers).

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eighteen months after escaping the US military, the Enceladons are hiding out in the Arctic. A wealthy entrepreneur has approached Lennox in the hope that he will lead him to them. Lennox is filled with distrust, however, the billionaire has promised Lennox that his only interest is to see the Enceladons and learn more about them.

This has got to be one of the most difficult reviews I've ever had to write, I've stewed over it for days. I've been eagerly awaiting The Transcendent Tide by Doug Johnstone for two years. What follows is a spoiler-free review (I hope), but the story has left me in such turmoil. To say that I didn't enjoy the book would be wrong; what I didn't enjoy was the direction the story took, an entirely subjective point of view. The mix of emotions I felt as I read reflects how skillfully the author has written, ensuring Sandy, Xander, and a whole host of others have wormed their way into my heart.

The Transcendent Tide is book three in the Enceladons trilogy, a series in which a race of aliens arrives on Earth. If this sounds like science fiction, and that is a genre you shy away from, please don't be discouraged; this is really a story about humanity.

After the events of Camp Broom, the Enceladons have fled to the Arctic. Lennox, Vonnie and Ava are still in Scotland. Ava is raising her daughter, Chloe, and the others are working with a marine research group. All three miss their connection with the Enceladons, particularly Lennox, but realise that allowing them to remain undetected is vitally important. The arrival of a billionaire, adamant that his only motivation is to find out more about the strange alien creatures, throws things into doubt. It is Chloe's sudden illness that persuades them to accept the billionaire's offer to travel to Greenland.

This is a story that holds a mirror up to mankind, reflecting the good and bad in society. The Enceladons strive for a peaceful existence, living in harmony with their surroundings. We see this echoed in the Inuits, who call Greenland their home. Western culture doesn't fare well; greed, xenophobia, and a negative impact on the environment are just a few of the issues that are featured.

We see how the Enceladons willingly accepted humans into their community and how quickly the Inuit respect the uniqueness of an alien race, unlike the "civilised" world, who care only about self. I was left shocked by the battle between what is essentially good and evil, dismayed at the turn the story took. This is a work of fiction, but echoes the way in which civilisation has expanded for hundreds of years, eradicating cultures and destroying habitats.

With The Transcendent Tide being the final book in the trilogy, I have been left with such mixed emotions. I've loved the series, adore the characters and feel as if I am part of their community; however, I am heartbroken by what mankind is capable of.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Transcendent Tide, the final part of Doug Johnstone’s Enceladons trilogy, we reunite with Lennox, Vonnie, Ava, Chloe, Heather, and octopoid Sandy in the Arctic, a year and a half after the events of The Collapsing Wave.

When Ava finds out toddler Chloe has a brain tumour, she knows her best bet is to seek out Sandy and the other Enceladons – they cured Heather’s cancer, after all. Fortuitously, techbro billionaire Karl Jensen has recently approached Lennox and Vonnie asking for their help connecting him to the Enceladons, and while they don’t entirely trust his intentions, the group agree to his plan to fly them out to his scientific complex in Greenland for Chloe’s sake.

Heather, meanwhile, has been living with the Enceladons, and has become largely Enceladon herself. However, she hasn’t fully assimilated with the whole, and with the kernel of human individuality she retains, she’s perturbed to notice the aliens have been adopting an increasingly anti-human stance in the wake of new, destructive activities in their previously undisturbed ecosystem.

With its fast pace, twists and turns, dangerous situations, and engaging developments, The Transcendent Tide reaches the high bar set by its predecessors. I always learn something new and interesting from Doug Johnstone’s books, and this time it was a pleasure to dip into Inuit culture and history, through the gang’s endearing new friend Niviaq.

Unlike in the previous instalments, however, Sandy seems to have gone dark, associating the majority of humans with “bad energy”, and being markedly less eager to befriend and help them.

Having settled in an underwater ecosystem, the Enceladons now feel better-aligned with the animals they live in harmony with than the people who exploit nature – and have even taken matters into their own tentacles, organising the sealife around them to attack boats and machinery. This causes consternation among their human friends, as well as Heather, who, despite looking much like an Enceladon now, still remembers what it was like to be fully human, and continues to relate to humankind.

After all, it’s one thing to cheer when an orca rams a billionaire’s superyacht, and another when employees who need to feed their families in a capitalist system are killed by animals on the order of aliens who absolutely know what they’re doing. Our heroes are dismayed by the Enceladons’ new taste for violence, and I was sad to see the change in them, too.

These developments raised a number of questions for me. Have the Enceladons’ negative encounters with humans spoiled their previously peaceful nature? Was the capacity for violence always within them, but drawn out by the particular conditions on Earth? Can we really blame them for becoming jaded, when certain types of human have sought to exploit and/or destroy them again and again?

On a separate note, various characters speculate on the possibility of spreading the Enceladons’ power of telepathy to everyone – whether as a gift, or a biological enhancement you have to pay for – but this also brings up questions. Would everyone be just as wowed and humbled by it as the goodies in this story are? Or would the more acquisitive, competitive, and exploitative people our heroes keep running into just find ways to use it for bad?

And considering Heather’s cancer returned after Sandy cured it the first time, and Chloe, who connected with Sandy before she was even born, now has a brain tumour, would there be too much of a trade-off involved?

The Transcendent Tide is a bittersweet conclusion to an action-packed, thought-provoking trilogy.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Orenda for the gifted proof of this title in return for an honest review.

I will say right now that I have no idea how I'm going to review this book, because this series has meant so much to me, it's just beautiful and there's nothing I can say that will truly get over what I thought about it, so you're just going to have to bear with me on this one - or event better, go and read it yourself and you'll understand.

I knew before I had even started that this book would break my heart.

I just couldn't put it down. I went to bed early with the plan to read a couple of chapters and then get an early night, but I couldn't stop reading it and before I knew it, it was nearing midnight and I was half way through.

Normally when I'm reading a book I need to review, I make notes as I'm reading so I don't forget things, but I realised that by the time I'd finished it, I hadn't made any notes at all because I couldn't be parted from it.

I am so heartbroken. It's so sad in so many ways but also uplifting and hopeful, and the importance of friendship and tolerance and forgiveness across all beings.

There are some horrendous characters in this book, truly truly pantomime villains - in the best (or worst) way. And you really hate them. But you also love them because they're so bad, if that makes sense. They're so well written and it's impressive to get such a character across on the page.

We have got our familiar characters that have become like our own friends that we've travelled on this journey with. And then we've got new ones, villains yes, but others that slip so seamlessly into this world.

Yes it is as people say, it's an allegory of life, of refugees and power struggles and whatnot, but it's not heavy handed. It's important we read about it and Doug has done a fantastic job of approaching a complex topic, made it entertaining, but without losing any of its importance.

I always worry with series that by the time I read the next book, I'll forget what happened in the previous one, especially if it's been a long time since I read it. And I always think sequels should have a reminder page at the start. But this one, I was immediately in, I remembered everyone, what had happened, what they were doing now. It was great.

Doug says this is the last book in the trilogy, and yes it does finish it a satisfactory way, but I want more. And in my opinion, there is scope. If he finishes it like this then fine, but I have a spark of hope that there may be more to come, even if it's not in the form of a complete novel.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Space Between Us, Doug Johnstone’s first novel featuring Sandy and the humans who help this alien creature, rolled a scifi first contact novel and chase thriller into one, adding a powerful message about finding one’s place in the world. Follow-up The Collapsing Wave saw the Enceladons - telepathic octopus-like creatures who exist as parts of a greater hive mind - face the worst of humanity.
We open 18 months on from The Collapsing Wave, our characters scattered in the wake of previous events. Johnstone gradually brings them together, and fills in a little background (though I highly recommend you start at the beginning of the trilogy to get the full story). Lennox and Vonnie are near Oban, studying marine sciences. Ava and her two-year-old daughter Chloe are on the shore of Loch Duich, not far from Skye, and Heather is living off the coast of Greenland among the Enceladons. We also meet Niviaq, an Inuit woman in Greenland, who has been having strange dreams of octopus-like creatures. 
They are brought together by Ava's desperate need for a cure for Chloe, who has become seriously ill, and the equally desperate desire of a Norwegian billionaire, Karl Jensen, to meet the Enceladons. He knows they are living in the Arctic Ocean off Greenland, and has set up a research base in the hopes of contact, aiming to use Lennox and Vonnie to facilitate an introduction.
After he meets Sandy, Jensen experiences an epiphany. "This changes everything," he says, vowing to put all his money and company might into environmental programmes. It does indeed change everything, but not in the way he anticipated...
His team now knows exactly where the Enceladons' settlement is, which is the trigger for some overwhelming scenes later on. But this time the Enceladons aren't so alone in their fight for survival.
There's plenty of action, there are moments of humour - including when new allies join the battle and a community grows more connected after a shared meal - and there is, inevitably, a final confrontation that comes with loss and grief. But there's also the hint of new beginnings, and hope, and that's a powerful thing indeed. 
This may be science fiction, but it's mostly about exploring what it means to be an outsider, and to discover how far you would go to protect those you love. And most of all it is an exploration of what it means to be human, warts and all.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really sad to come to end of a series of stories that I and many other readers have devoured and enjoyed so much. I'll be honest and admit that I've struggled to review all three of the books; Johnstone's writing is wonderful, his characters are incredible and his plotting is first class. However, there is so much more to these stories, so much written 'between the lines'. We can learn, we can recognise, we can feel every single emotion as we follow the human characters and their Enceladon mates through their journey.

Johnstone is known for his Scottish settings in his novels, in The Transcendent Tide he takes his readers to Greenland. The sense of place is superbly done, so much so that at one time I really believed that I was reading a translated novel!

It is eighteen months after the events of the previous book; The Collapsing Wave, and at first glance, things appear steady and peaceful for our characters. Ava is living quietly with young daughter Chloe whilst Vonnie and Lennox are up in the Highlands creating a home. Heather and Sandy are in Greenland, Heather being closer to Sandy than ever before.

However, illness hits young Chloe and the group travel to Greenland, to the Enceladons in the hope that they can cure her.

And so, we stumble upon greed and power. We witness the evil that men can, and often do. We also see the power of love and of respect and empathy. You are going to meet some loathsome characters who will do some horrific things, you are also going to meet some of the most loyal and understanding creatures too. Johnstone perfectly balances the good and the evil and totally mirrors exactly what is happening in our world in the present day.

Quite simply, this series has been about being different to the norm. It has been about the power of the friendship group and also the destructive nature of those who hate.

Doug Johnstone is, in my view, one of the greatest writers of our time. His ability to weave current social issues into entertaining, unique and impeccably written stories is second to none. I am so sad that the series has ended but the ending is perfect.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Transcendent Tide’ is the brilliant conclusion to the Enceladons Trilogy and boy does it make you question everything. It is magnificent and haunting, and it absolutely tears a hole in your heart. Normally, I would suggest you could read any book as a stand-alone, but in this case, I think reading the preceding ones is necessary. Firstly, you would understand the characters, their backgrounds and motivations but secondly, to bask in this story is a treat.

This is a story I wish could run and run and never finish. I truly fell in love with all the characters, especially the Enceladons themselves. I was so invested that I shed many a tear, partly due to this story, but also due to this book acting as a mirror to today’s society. Sandy and the Enceladons are refugees, just wanting a safe home, where they can survive in peace. They may not have come in a small boat across the channel, but are they any different? And we as humanity abuse and use them for monetary gain! Yes, Lennox, Vonnie and Ava are fighting for them and also the world, but the darker side of human nature always appears. Sandy’s journey through the series highlights this. He arrives to our world, shiny, happy and open to being friends with humans. By the end, he is tainted by his experiences of exploitation and contact with us.

The scenes set in Greenland were evocative and it was clear that the author had done their research on the location, the indigenous population and their culture. The descriptions of the vista and landscape were rich and vibrant. The inclusion of Nivaqi as a character acted as the glue for this story in a way for me as a reader. She was a representative of all that is good in the world and I loved everything about her.

Once again, this is an action-packed story and I was gripped from the first word to the last. I flew through it and I don't think I looked up once. It is an immersive read that manipulates your emotions as a reader. It is certainly a rollercoaster of a narrative and it is a ride I would go on time and time again.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

[Rich B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Enceladon trilogy is an enjoyable read and has some great characters and a mostly hopeful and positive feel to it.

However, there’s a slightly more violent undertone to it than I expected, as the heroes of the story fight back hard against the villains. It’s hard not to cheer for the underdogs. Or maybe that should be undersea dogs, as much of the action involves the Earth’s sea life joining forces with the Enceladons to fight back against the self-interest of big mega corporations who are ruining the environment.

The main characters here are all very likeable and relatable, both on the human side and the Enceladons. But the villains are less well developed, and arguably feel a bit one-dimensional. They’re all a bit greed is good, and let’s destroy everything that gets in the way of that.

Plot-wise, the Enceladons have escaped to the relative safety of Greenland after the events of the previous book, taking an assimilated Heather and other human converts into their new form of life.

Lennox and Vonnie, Ava and her daughter Chloe, remain behind in Scotland, but when Chloe suffers a medical emergency, they decide to accept the offer of a tech billionaire to fly them to Greenland so they can reconnect with the Enceladons.

However, things don’t go well, and it turns into a battle between the mega corporation forces and the forces of nature.

To say more than that would give away too much of the plot, and while I can’t say it’s “fun”, it’s certainly an engaging and emotional read.

I liked how it covered mostly dark themes, but with a light touch. I liked the inclusion of Inuit characters and culture, and the idea of nature being a universal and eternal concept.

However, the actual final big battle, and the motives of the baddies in this, all feel a bit too mechanical and not as well developed as the story of the good side. It also leaves a lot very open at the end, which makes me wonder if this is actually a trilogy. An enjoyable read, but not quite what I thought it could have been. Still definitely worth a read though.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug Johnstone and the Enceladon’s are back for their final adventure in the epic conclusion to the Enceladon Trilogy. This is a difficult book to review because it is best discovered for yourself by going along for the ride. But I can tell you that the story sees Lennox, Vonnie and Ava head to Greenland to meet up with Heather, Sandy and the Enceladons. They hope to forge a positive connection between extra-terrestrials and humans, but humanity is predictable in its cruelty, resulting in a monumental showdown that changes everything.

Immersive, suspenseful and compelling, Johnstone has knocked it out of the park once again with this spectacular finale. I’m not usually a Sci-Fi girl, but I knew how good of a storyteller Johnstone is so I took a chance on this series. I’m so glad I did because it's a series I’ve become very fond of and I’m really going to miss so many of these wonderful characters. I knew reading the final book was going to be hard, but I was unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster that this book took me on and the things that Johnstone put the characters through this time around.

Johnstone explores a variety of real life issues in this book such as politics, capitalism, environmental issues, humanity and refugees. Yes, these particular refugees come from another planet but the parallels between them and the current political landscape rhetoric towards refugees is unmistakable. And there are huge lessons we need to learn from what happens to Sandy and the Enceladons. We need to be more like the humans who fight for their extra-terrestrial friends and not like the ones who persecute and fear those who are different and seeking sanctuary in our borders. And it is here where we see that this is also a story about friendship, love, compassion and fighting for the rights of others.

A magnificent end to an extraordinary series, I highly recommend this book and the whole Enceladon Trilogy.

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a huge fan of Doug Johnstone’s books, especially his two series, for years now, and my expectations for this final instalment in the Enceladons trilogy were ridiculously high. It more than met those expectations, it turned out to be everything I had wanted it to be!

It goes without saying that you can’t read The Transcendent Tide without having read its predecessors. The story has been building up, the characters have been developing, the plot that started with The Space Between Us and thickened in The Collapsing Wave now reaches its satisfying, and also quite epic, conclusion. (Although the door has definitely been left open a crack, and I do wonder whether this is actually the final curtain…)

If you’ve read the first two books, I just know you’ll be dying to read this one, and right you are, odds are you’ll love it just as much as the others. If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, this is the time to do it! Seriously! Even if you think sci-fi and aliens aren’t your bag, honestly, it’s not what I tend to go for either, but this is one series you! must! not! miss! Like I said when I reviewed The Collapsing Wave: leave it to Doug Johnstone to make you feel all warm and fuzzy about an octopus-like alien and all its cephalopod-like friends.

With The Transcendent Tide, Doug Johnstone once again showcases the very best of mankind, and the very worst, which is a realistic, simultaneously heart-breaking and heart-warming juxtaposition. And not just humankind, the animal kingdom plays a part as well, this time around.

The Transcendent Tide is the gripping, thought-provoking and nail-bitingly suspenseful conclusion to a magnificent trilogy that I truly can’t recommend enough.

Massive thanks to Orenda Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Enceladons Trilogy and it is 18 months since the events in the last book. The books really need to be read in order to get the full story and I do recommend the trilogy. The Enceladons, together with the humans who chose to join them, have made a new life for themselves far away from the Scottish highlands in the the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Greenland. And here I would have hoped was the end of the story, but oh yes humans are involved and pounds signs are flashing in their eyes!

Briefly, when Chloe becomes very ill her mother Ava, together with Lennox and Vonnie all end up in Greenland looking for Enceladon Sandy, and the community, in the hope that they can cure her, as they did previously with Heather. However, the only way they could make the journey was with the help of billionaire Karl Jensen who has his own agenda. Meanwhile Greenlander Niviaq is concerned about strange events taking place in the sea and goes to investigate.

This book is so full of wonderful characters it’s hard to single out one but the one I felt the most empathy for in this book was Heather, she was just the kindest most caring being, but also very intelligent and intuitive. Sci-fi is so far out of my comfort zone as to be invisible to the naked eye but I enjoyed this so much. The treatment meted out by humans was barbaric and immoral and the answer from the ocean community shocking but understandable. I don’t want to say any more for fear of spoilers but this is a brilliant book from a brilliant series. Read it.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
I’ve been a fan of Doug Johnstone’s book for a long time and I wasn’t sure what I’d feel like when he started this series.
However, it has been such a brilliant series with a cast of characters that I couldn’t not love. The characters human and alien are characters that I felt a great deal for and connection with.
As with the other two books I ended up breaking down whilst reading as I’d become attached to the characters deeply and all for different reasons. It really makes you think reading a series like this about the way we treat other people and species. The big question for me again was why do we always think humans are and know better/more?

I enjoyed this immensely and the series has finished at a good point. It is a series that really makes you think. If it doesn’t do so, it really should. This is a brilliant read and I’d recommend the series as they are emotionally full on, but so worth the read. I’d also recommend every Doug Johnstone book, if I’m honest as his books have such honest, emotive issues but they never feel like they’re shoved at you, more given to you in bite size pieces to mull over and feel all the feels while doing so. If you haven’t started reading his books yet, I’m envious at the great body of work you have ahead of you.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for this book.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I really didn't want this fantastic book to end so I was torn between gobbling up every word as if I hadn't read for months and savouring every single word so I could make it last longer. The Transcendent Tide is the perfect ending to an epic and unforgettable trilogy.

You do need to read the books in order to get the most out of the incredibly powerful storyline and to fully understand the characters, which is why I felt so many different emotions whilst reading. I was shocked, angered and upset as I lived and breathed every moment of this magnificent journey with Sandy, the Enceladons and their friends.

The writing is flawless and the plotting sublime as Doug Johnstone takes the reader on a memorable journey through the Arctic. I felt like I needed my thermals on as I kept getting goosebumps as the vivid scenes were described.

Haunting, poignant and powerful, The Transcendent Tide is a highly original book and an outstanding finale to an epic trilogy. It has a tentacle in so many genres that it will appeal to all readers and leave a lasting impression. I can award nothing less than five stars for this amazing novel.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Helen French · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the final book in a trilogy, I'd really only recommend reading The Transcendent Tide if you've read the other two books first.

In this book, and yes I've shamelessly stolen this from the back cover copy, Lennox, Vonnie and Ava head to Greenland to meet up with Heather, Sandy and the Enceladons. They need urgent help for Ava's daughter Chloe - but does accepting help also mean accepting dangerous terms, and work with a company that may or may not have their best interests at heart?

It took me a little while to get into this one, but I'm not sure why. Perhaps it felt like, in the broadest terms, a bit of a retread of the last book. Evil against the aliens. Only this time the aliens bite back - a bit. For a finale, it has quite an open ending, too. That's fine, it's not necessary to tie everything up, I just don't feel like we're that much further forward than last time.

The series overall is compelling and thought-provoking. I just personally didn't get a lot extra from this last one.

[Sue Purbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d only ever read Doug Johnstone’s Skelf series and so knew him as a humorous writer of fun yet philosophical novels. Wow, was this different! Who knew a) I actually love sci-fi, and b) I could grow so desperately fond of a giant talking octopus/jellyfish. The story became totally believable the more I became immersed, and I adored Sandy almost before I even met them. (By the way, I hadn’t read the first two books of this trilogy, but that didn’t matter at all.) At first this story is lyrical, beautiful, magical but turns ugly frighteningly quickly. I’m not a sci-fi fan but this was so real and powerful it totally drew me in. I thought the way the author handled the dialogue and the language of the Enceladons was sheer genius. This is unlike anything I’ve read before. Its message is strong, yet subtle - and terrifying. Ultimately, though, this is a hopeful, uplifting read.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series &, knowing this was the final book in the trilogy, I knew I was going to be in for a turbulent ride.

I don’t want to say too much, you need to go in with your eyes open & see the story unravel with Lennox, Vonnie & Ava front & centre once more. We all know that the human race are having a devastating impact on the planet we call home; imagine then, creatures from another world (the Enceladons) linking with all sea life to fight back.

I was exhausted when I’d finished reading this - an emotional wreck wondering how it was that I had such strong feelings for creatures I would never encounter. Doug Johnstone is a phenomenal writer, I have cried with laughter when reading his Skelfs series, this time those brimming tears were for totally opposite emotions. Bravo!

[Justin Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series however I read them in quick succession and I think this helped.
There was quite a long wait until this one appeared and I have to say I don't think it was needed.
This felt quite repetitive and there was also a lot of reminders about what had gone before which made it harder to get in to.
Having read this I feel I could have been content with stopping at the end of book 2 , as the plot no longer felt inventive and original
The longer this last book went on the more I felt I'd read too many things with a similar storyline before.

[Sally Boocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my days, what a phenomenal end of series novel this is. I am just so sad the series has finished but I have to say it has all the feels. It is a complete rollercoaster from huge highs to devastating lows. Sandy and the other encedalons have made a life for themselves in the Arctic ocean but they are about to be tested big style. It made me cry, laugh, and shout out in anger. This has to be one of the most well written,engrossing series I have ever read. Totally loved it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting finale to the Enceladons Trilogy, The Transcendent Tide blends Arctic adventure, ecological peril and the emotional pull of found family. Doug Johnstone’s world-building shines - telepathic alien life, fragile ecosystems and moral dilemmas all collide in a gripping, heartfelt story. While the ensemble cast and surreal elements may be a lot to take in, the novel’s humanity make it an absorbing read for fans of speculative fiction with heart.

[julie young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this series , the beautiful relationship which has grown between the ethereal sea living enceladons and the damaged human beings they class as friends. This final book was heart breaking as once again the safety of Sandy and his followers is threatened by a scientific group. I cannot recommend this series too highly. I think I am going to have to read it all again.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this instalment, it was not as much as the previous books in the sequence. It made lots of valid points about the climate crisis and present and past exploitation of natural resources and indigenous peoples, which sat comfortably within the narrative. I found some elements of the plot unsatisfying.