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Eighteen year-old Marin has few clues about where she came from, outside of a recurring nightmare of a horrific boating accident. Determined to prove to the world and to herself that she can overcome her water phobia and lead a normal life, she enrolls in a summer internship at a marine research facility in California. When a cataclysmic accident suddenly brings her drowning nightmares into reality, she learns a secret about herself that begins to unlock the mystery lurking in her hidden memories. What she discovers could be the key to her past, but opening that door forces her to choose between two worlds and two hearts, and starts a chain of events that could destroy everything and everyone she loves.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2014
36 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 26, 2018
I couldn't put it down. Unpredictable and leaves you wanting more. Can't wait for book 2. Check out this fun fantasy/sci fi book. Loved that it was a clean read. Great for any age.
April 25, 2018
when i started reading this book it started off slow and i contemplated whether to continue reading or to put it down. I am so glad that i didn't stop reading! I absolutely loved the characters in the story i got hooked and couldn't go to sleep until i knew what happened in the next chapter and i ended up finishing the book in 1 night. i was specifically interested in Marcos and Marin's relationship i really shipped them together the other love interest just didn't seem like the right guy for her in my opinion.The plot everything was so well written i felt like i was actually in the story.
October 20, 2018
Awesome
A brilliant read and one i throughly enjoyed. I read this book in one go, could not put it down.
A brilliant read and one i throughly enjoyed. I read this book in one go, could not put it down.
July 10, 2019
It started out OK, but never really sparked for me. I was not hesitant to put down to book to do other things, or anxious to pick it up and continue the story.
I won't be going on to the next book in the series.
I won't be going on to the next book in the series.
December 27, 2024
Okay so this book was fun because I got it from the actual author at a farmers market, which is so cool. The plot is such an interesting idea, but I will say that the imagery and action was lacking. I loved the big battle at the end, but that was pretty much it. It wasn’t bad!
May 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book!
Honestly not here for the teenage romance and it seemed like a lot of the reasonings for things was just: science. But the plot was absolutely fascinating and kept me engaged the whole time. I love the writing style, it was super interesting and easy to follow and again, very engaging. I wanted to keep reading! I think that’s how I can tell a good book for me; when I’m done I just want to read more and know more and that’s how I felt at the end of this book.
Plus I LOVE me some good plot twist and this one had some good ones. I stayed up way too late reading the climax cause I didn’t want to put it down. Fun read!
Honestly not here for the teenage romance and it seemed like a lot of the reasonings for things was just: science. But the plot was absolutely fascinating and kept me engaged the whole time. I love the writing style, it was super interesting and easy to follow and again, very engaging. I wanted to keep reading! I think that’s how I can tell a good book for me; when I’m done I just want to read more and know more and that’s how I felt at the end of this book.
Plus I LOVE me some good plot twist and this one had some good ones. I stayed up way too late reading the climax cause I didn’t want to put it down. Fun read!
September 20, 2014
I'm very picky about my book ratings and so I haven't given this one more stars only because I leave those for a very few special and particular authors. That being said - I did enjoy this book a lot. The concept is refreshing and new.
What if mermaids were real? And what if the story we've created of our life is not as accurate as we would think? Perception and truth are 2 different things.
And every girl would like 2 cute guys to like her!
What if mermaids were real? And what if the story we've created of our life is not as accurate as we would think? Perception and truth are 2 different things.
And every girl would like 2 cute guys to like her!
December 4, 2017
This book was so much fun! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
July 16, 2021
fun characters. interesting storyline. can't wait for number two! Read it again because the final story was just released!
April 22, 2020
Great book
Great book. I liked the character building in this book.
I need to search for a prequel there are many flashbacks but reading about them as they happen would be nice.
Great book. I liked the character building in this book.
I need to search for a prequel there are many flashbacks but reading about them as they happen would be nice.
April 5, 2021
Great read
The more I read the more intrigued I became. I loved the characters and can’t wait to read the sequel!
The more I read the more intrigued I became. I loved the characters and can’t wait to read the sequel!
February 23, 2024
In AQUA by Katherine Walters, readers are plunged into an exhilarating adventure, artfully blending elements of mystery, romance, and science fiction. The story follows Marin, a young woman undertaking a summer internship at COAST, a marine research center closely linked to her childhood. After a near-fatal accident at COAST, Marin's repressed childhood memories resurface, revealing a profound connection to water and a hidden, underwater civilization.
Walters skillfully weaves a narrative where the revelation of Marin's origins is gradual yet compelling. The story progresses with Marin grappling to understand her newfound knowledge while consistently encountering fresh information that adds depth to the plot. The novel introduces a secret race of Atlantean-like beings, a concept familiar yet refreshing in its execution. Walters plays with well-known tropes — the ordinary character with an extraordinary heritage, a corrupt global organization, and the classic dichotomy of choosing between two distinct lives. These themes, while recurrent in literature, are presented with a unique flair in the story.
The romantic subplot in the book adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, with Marin navigating relationships between two potential love interests. This dynamic interestingly symbolizes her inner conflict between life on land and in the ocean. While these relationships primarily serve to advance the plot, they contribute to the broader theme of Marin's personal journey and the choices she faces. At the heart of AQUA is the theme of family — both by blood and by choice. Marin's decisions are heavily influenced by her loyalty and affection for those in both her terrestrial and aquatic worlds. Aside from the conventional portrayal of corporate greed, the motivations of the characters are largely familial, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
The novel's rich content is delivered with brisk pacing, creating an eagerness for more in-depth exploration of its characters and plot. This could be an intentional setup for potential sequels, which may further explore these aspects. AQUA is an engaging read, and it leaves one curious about the future directions this underwater world may take.
Walters skillfully weaves a narrative where the revelation of Marin's origins is gradual yet compelling. The story progresses with Marin grappling to understand her newfound knowledge while consistently encountering fresh information that adds depth to the plot. The novel introduces a secret race of Atlantean-like beings, a concept familiar yet refreshing in its execution. Walters plays with well-known tropes — the ordinary character with an extraordinary heritage, a corrupt global organization, and the classic dichotomy of choosing between two distinct lives. These themes, while recurrent in literature, are presented with a unique flair in the story.
The romantic subplot in the book adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, with Marin navigating relationships between two potential love interests. This dynamic interestingly symbolizes her inner conflict between life on land and in the ocean. While these relationships primarily serve to advance the plot, they contribute to the broader theme of Marin's personal journey and the choices she faces. At the heart of AQUA is the theme of family — both by blood and by choice. Marin's decisions are heavily influenced by her loyalty and affection for those in both her terrestrial and aquatic worlds. Aside from the conventional portrayal of corporate greed, the motivations of the characters are largely familial, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
The novel's rich content is delivered with brisk pacing, creating an eagerness for more in-depth exploration of its characters and plot. This could be an intentional setup for potential sequels, which may further explore these aspects. AQUA is an engaging read, and it leaves one curious about the future directions this underwater world may take.
October 17, 2018
Waterworld survival
Marin is an orphan adopted by a Navy officer. She has a traumatizing fear of water and fire. Her navy seal father and his friend get her all kinds of psychological treatments to get her over this trauma but when she drowns and finds out she can breath water. Her whole world changes. Fast moving adventure, two love interests, international bad guys makes this a book hat is hard to put down. Adult readers due to violent content.
Marin is an orphan adopted by a Navy officer. She has a traumatizing fear of water and fire. Her navy seal father and his friend get her all kinds of psychological treatments to get her over this trauma but when she drowns and finds out she can breath water. Her whole world changes. Fast moving adventure, two love interests, international bad guys makes this a book hat is hard to put down. Adult readers due to violent content.
June 4, 2025
I just read all three in the Arydian Chronicles and I enjoyed them. It's not something I typically read but I'm glad I did. Some of the best books I've read are something someone has given me. This was fiction in a different light. Great characters, great story line. A good read for teens and older. After I finished the first book I immediately read the 2nd and 3rd one. I had to know what happened.
October 21, 2018
I liked it.
I liked the story. The Character development could have been a little more thorough. The plot was great. I wasn't really hangjng on every page like I do with some books. There wasn't much that was interesting enough or funny enough for me to want to read it again. But I still enjoyed the story.
I liked the story. The Character development could have been a little more thorough. The plot was great. I wasn't really hangjng on every page like I do with some books. There wasn't much that was interesting enough or funny enough for me to want to read it again. But I still enjoyed the story.
April 22, 2019
First 1/3 was good, second 1/3 okay, but when the fighting started I lost interest. This doesn't happen often when I'm almost through a book. But I didn't enjoy it any more. So sorry.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews