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Sixteen years ago, the Yellowstone volcano erupted and changed the world forever. A small group of survivors escaped on a cruise ship called the Catalina ahead of a choking cloud of ash. Since then, they have been surviving at sea, drifting until the land becomes safe again.

The adventure continues in Seaswept, the heart-stopping second book in the Seabound Chronicles.

After her triumphant return to the Catalina, Esther begins developing a new way to produce energy. Meanwhile, the exiles from the Galaxy Flotilla, including the enigmatic David Hawthorne, struggle to find their place aboard the Catalina.

When Esther makes a major breakthrough, David offers to sell her technology for supplies and alliances for the Catalina. They dock with the Amsterdam Coalition, where David's bidding war soon takes a dangerous turn.

How far will Esther go to rescue him? She's still not sure whether she can trust anyone on the post-apocalyptic ocean—even David himself.

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2015

223 people are currently reading
129 people want to read

About the author

Jordan Rivet

36 books527 followers
Jordan Rivet is an American author of YA science fiction and fantasy featuring determined heroines, vivid worlds, and daring missions. Originally from Arizona, she lives in Hong Kong with her husband.

Jordan's YA fantasy series include Steel and Fire, Empire of Talents, The Fire Queen’s Apprentice, and Art Mages of Lure. Her science fiction includes Wake Me After the Apocalypse, The Seabound Chronicles, and The Lost Clone.

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5 stars
145 (41%)
4 stars
132 (37%)
3 stars
54 (15%)
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14 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Autumn.
311 reviews14 followers
August 5, 2015
Great second book

Read the first book the other day, was so taken with it that I started this one. Great story, hope there is more!
Profile Image for AudioBookReviewer.
949 reviews167 followers
December 1, 2017
My original Seaswept audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Seaswept is the second novel in the trilogy called The Seabound Chronicles by Jordan Rivet. In a world where extreme weather events have pushed civilization to the sea, people have survived by living in a variety of ships or barges. After saving her home, the cruise ship Catalina, Ester, the ship’s mechanic, is focused on solving a critical problem: fuel. If she can develop the technology to generate biofuel, the Catalina would be free to move about the ocean rather than drifting and only sparing their fuel reserves for specific voyages. However, once the technology is developed and works correctly, the turbulent question of whether, if, and how to share it emerges. Caught in a variety of political factors, Ester is determined to risk it all to save the man that she might love, David Hawthorne, when the politics surrounding this fuel source get out of hand.

Seaswept continues the sweeping adventure from the first novel. This is a fast-paced story that is filled with a lot of action and gray-areas as different characters fight to do what they believe is right. The powerful question of whether to horde a life-changing technology or to share it with everyone, and the consequences of decisions made regarding this question drive this story. However, as with before, it is really a story about people trying to survive and maintain both healthy relationships and their humanity. It’s easy to become invested in the characters' lives and want to scream at or cheer with them. As this is the second installment, the world is already well fleshed out and the main characters are well known, which makes it easy to jump into the story. Also, the complexity of the world makes it possible to layer motivations of main characters, especially Esther, which is nice. Even some of the supporting characters make a brief, but lasting impression. However, there are so many new minor characters that it was hard to keep track of them.

The narration by Ray Greenly was also well done. He does a great job with voice characterization. I’m not sure if this is the voicing or the writing of the characters themselves, but all the young characters sound exceedingly young and naïve, which makes this story feel like a young adult novel, which it is not necessarily. The production quality was good. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes unique post-apocalyptic and action & adventure stories featuring a female protagonist.

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
Profile Image for Brian's Book Blog.
805 reviews63 followers
February 24, 2017
Salt! This was a fun book.

The first book in this series felt really different to me. It basically told the story of a ship that was surviving by drifting from place to place trying to trade. They met up with another group of ships and things went south as I expected they would. The second book, Seaswept had a ton of action in it and picked up right where the first book left off. The story is so engrossing I kept thinking that it had been hundreds of years since the volcanic eruption that changed the world forever.

Esther is back and better than ever. She's just as confused as she was in the first book -- maybe even more. But attempts to save the day on numerous fronts. Seaswept introduces some new characters and new ships into the mix too, which added to my enjoyment.

The story flowed extremely well and there didn't feel like there was a piece missing. Most if not all of my questions were answered. And, like any good story, a few more came up towards the end. I mentioned that I felt like it'd been more than 100 years since the eruption and I honestly kept thinking that. I think part of it is because they don't use all the curse words. Instead, they are substituted by words like "salt" and "rust", which, to be honest, added a ton of charm to this book without making it too gritty.

Sure, some of the romantic scenes were a little childish and seemed a little far fetched, but the main character is supposed to be in her early 20s (and I'd assume a tragedy like the volcano eruptions and growing up on a ship, knowing nothing different could stunt your love-life a little). I think that Rivet wrote this book with a lot of ages in mind and kept it safe enough to be approached by almost anyone, so I didn't let that bother me.

Ray Greenley narrated Seaswept and absolutely crushes it. He allowed the already fast-paced story to flow so smoothly that I almost forgot that I was reading. More than a few times I sat in my car in the parking lot waiting for a scene to finish or a chapter to end.

Overall, if you enjoyed the first book in the Seabound Chronicles, then Seaswept is definitely for you. If you enjoyed the movie Waterworld (I really did) and unique and different post-apocalyptic stories -- this series should be a nice change of pace.

I'm really curious to find out as much about Esther's backstory (Rivet teases the prequel) as much as what is going to happen next.
Profile Image for Marion Marchetto.
Author 31 books105 followers
September 5, 2015
This book picks up exactly where Seabound (Book 1 Seabound Chronicles) leaves off. Our erstwhile heroine Esther has developed a live-changing system for turning algae into a usable fuel for the surviving ships and the race is on. The survivors aboard the Catalina - Esther's home ship - want to retain the technology for themselves, Esther wants to give it away to everyone in a humane gesture, and her friend David thinks they should sell the technology to the highest bidder. Everyone except for Esther agrees to selling the technology. What follows is a story of intrigue, suspense, piracy, and high-seas adventure. David is kidnapped by the most feared Calderon Group and Esther in a fool-hardy venture to save her would-be boyfriend joins their rivals the Harvesters in an attempt to save his life.

Along the way we meet a terrific cast of secondary characters in Dirk, Zoe, Luke, and Cody. Old favorites return as well with Neal the communications guy taking top spot, along with Captain Judith of the Catalina, and Esther's father Simon. Seems like Neal is shaping up to take the lead if and when Book 3 is released.

I enjoyed following the adventures of this rag-tag bunch of survivors. It seemed a bit slow as we were party to Esther's musings about her feelings for David and vice versa but by story's end things are better settled. Esther makes a terrific heroine though as she seems fearless and strong despite being dealt physical blows that would drop some men I know. And with her new friend Zoe at her side they become the Dynamic Duo of the Waves. The ships themselves, while no longer the gleaming floating resorts or bristling warships or stately fishing boats, take on new personas as well since their conversions to floating rescue villages and I found this aspect quite interesting as well
1 review
June 20, 2015
Seaswept was a solid sequel to Seabound with loads more action, explosions, gunfire, and romantic tension. The Galaxy Flotilla is out of the picture for now, but Jordan Rivet introduces new threats that pose great danger to the heroine, Esther, and her world at large. I really liked Rivet's inclusion of two rival enemy fleets, the Metal Harvesters and the Calderon Group, in this book -- two factions that Esther finds herself working together with while the stakes are higher than ever. While Seabound focused more on the community of the Catalina, Seaswept takes Esther far away from her comfort zone in search of David, throwing her aboard ships that are under attack and a fortress island that has more to it than meets the eye. Rivet does a great job of giving Esther many dilemmas to juggle at once, while the reader reads on with baited breath to see how Esther handles it all. Seaswept is a very satisfying followup, and I look forward to reading the next parts.
3,970 reviews14 followers
November 5, 2017
( Format : Audiobook )
"Hey, you're on this crazy love quest."
Almost 16 years after the volcanic eruption that devastated life on Earth, the skies are finally starting to clear and some communications are slowly being restored. Most survivors had been those few fortunate enough to be aboard ships and Esther and her father had managed to board a cruise liner just in time. Life hadn't been easy in the subsequent years but Esther's love of engineering served her, and her ship, well and she had just completed a working machine that could revolutionise all their lives - one which converted algae to biofuel, releasing them all from the desperate need for oil which was in very short, and diminishing, supply. Esther wanted to make her invention freely available to any who wanted it, but her friend David had other ideas.

This immediate continuation from book one in the Seabound Chronicles is a fast paced action thriller situation touch of romance. The narrator, Ray Greenlet, is excellent, his pleasant, well paced voice with excellent expression and intonation, also conveys the conversation of the numerous characters with individuality and clarity.

Although part two in a series, this is a standalone story but greater enjoyment would be derived from the knowledge of the characters involved and their past histories, as found in book one.. Also recommended, the shorter prequel which tells of how Esther and her father come to be on the cruise ship Catalina.
An enjoyable book slightly different from the usual post apocalyptic stories.
Profile Image for Rubi.
2,654 reviews15 followers
March 17, 2022
Intense sequel

So the beginning was a bit slow, with Esther doin everything in her power to invent something new and avoid David at all cost. David feels she could sell her new invention and tries to settle on a deal for her but.....gets himself kidnapped.

That's where the fun begins lol
Esther has to find a way to get to David and has to flee from one ship to another on multiple occasions when her plans get upended. That leds for an intense book, since from that point on I never knew what would happen next haha

The most annoying part was Esther not admitting she likes David and expecting him to read her mind about it. A man WILL give up if he feels you're not interested, that's just how it is. So of course, she didn't love the part of the plan that involved David flirting with a vicious pirate woman. But they both finally stop being idiots and work together to do what Esther knew should have been done from the beginning. Judith needs to learn to stop being a control freak and maybe Esther wouldn't get into such messes haha

Side note: Cody, Zoe and a few other guys made for some fun side characters that added some cute scenes and comic relief!

So, besides the tangled up mess of a love life in this book. The book was overall good. Action, adventures, pirates, inventions and intense negotiations, and friendships....book had it all and I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion 😁
Profile Image for Reads_Must .
963 reviews13 followers
April 26, 2023
Seaswept
Seabound Chronicles #2
Post-apocalyptic, Dystopian, YA
Jordan Rivet
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I loved the action in this book. Little by little, the world outside the Catalina is being explored and each new place makes me even more curious.

Esther is a workaholic and she finally finished her invention. If I were in her shoes, I think I would've chosen to make a few of the machines first and then distribute them rather than going along with David's idea and getting into trouble.

I'm glad David and Esther finally communicate properly, although it takes most of the book for it to happen. I'm not keen on the miscommunication trope anyway, but it was so frustrating to see these characters misread each other and their intentions. I wanted to bang their heads together 😂.

I liked the new characters that were introduced. They fit in nicely with everyone else and kept the plot interesting.

So far, I'm really enjoying this series.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,551 reviews37 followers
November 16, 2019
Another exciting entry in the Seabound Chronicles.

Esther has discovered something that will make everything easier and better for all seafaring vessels. Should she sell her invention or just give it away as she wants to?

Her love David is in need of rescue. I see Esther as a very emotionally immature woman. She is 22 but I don't think she has ever been in love before nor has she any practice communicating or in relationships of any kind. She has been pretty much a hermit in the engine room. Her inability to communicate and her emotional immaturity bugs me mostly. I hope she gets it together before she ruins what she has.
This book is exciting, I finished it in less than two days. I am not on the third book, Seafled. Yes, they are communicating with people on land!
Profile Image for Paul Madsen.
507 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2024
Fairly clean apocalypse yarn that falls flat

Having read several of Jordan Rivet's books I was intrigued with the summary. However I did not think it was as well researched and the main characters were unrealistic. The military of any group surving would have better knowledge of the capability of radar and weapons beyond machine guns as laid out. Radar can see ships through bad fog. For a young woman to be accepted on any ship with her story only would normally be rejected right off. That a 22 year old could invent a new system of energy is credible but many of the storyline detail had too many open holes. The attempt of creating new "bad language" felt silly. Sorry but the plot fell flat in the end. 😐
87 reviews
May 11, 2022
absolutely loved it

This is a book that you get annoyed when you know it’s near the end. I’m glad there is a third and can’t wait to see where the author takes it. Love everyone on the ships. They have different unique personalities that make the whole thing work really well. The protagonist is gorgeous and just wants things to be better which makes her naive but strong and determined.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,961 reviews66 followers
January 15, 2018
I was a little disappointed with this one. It was not so much surviving in this post-eruption world but just more of the smart-but -emotionally inept Esther story. She may be smart but her choices are not well thought out. There was no real character growth and very little growth to the overall story until the very end. Not sure I will continue with this series.
Profile Image for Bethe.
6,921 reviews69 followers
July 6, 2023
Not sure how science works in Esther’s life-changing invention but that’s okay, the suspension of belief aspect of good fantasy/sci fi. More action and adventure for Esther and the gang as more pre volcano technology is coming back on line/usable. Wonder where the island really is in Pacific Ocean?
444 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2018
Good story

Another interesting well written story that I enjoyed reading very much. Esther tries to do the right thing from the beginning but is convinced by others to do something else. This leads to adventure, excitment & death.
Profile Image for doreen.
1,035 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2023
liked book 1. Story kept me interested and I liked the characters. Sure Esther's a bit much with her behavior towards David but I still like the story so far. I look forward to reading book 3 for a conclusion to this series.
Profile Image for Anna.
101 reviews2 followers
June 20, 2017
What a fun read

This is a great book with action and compassion. So much fun to read I thoroughly enjoyed it. Be sure to check it out!
177 reviews
September 27, 2017
I love this series, very entertaining. It was the same great cast of characters, plus a few more. Great story and lots of tension.
24 reviews
June 10, 2022
good one

I’ve read the Prequel, Book 1 & 2. May as well finish with Book 3. All good stories. Get them all.
200 reviews
July 1, 2024
great story

So great to have a story that gets even better in the second book. I’m looking forward to reading the third.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,907 reviews6 followers
October 13, 2016
I liked this one just as much as the last one. I think it might be due to the fact that I'm used to the writing and narration style. Unfortunately, the same things I didn't like were still true about the second installment of this series. There wasn't a lot of character development for the MCs, the dialogue lacked a natural flow, and the action scenes were stilted at times. Plus, this book had something that was refreshingly lacking in the first one, and that was angst. It was pretty annoying. I disliked how stupid both the MCs were (does the H even qualify as a MC in this book since he disappears for half of it?), emotionally and interpersonally (I know, I know, I totally made that word up.) The h especially was a moron when it came to what she felt for the H. She couldn't sort it out, left him hanging, and then got mad at him when it looked like he was moving on.

Overall, I did enjoy the second book of the series in spite of and look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Hopefully, David and Esther will get themselves sorted, too.
Profile Image for Virginia Night.
553 reviews9 followers
March 23, 2017
Good

A delightful read. I recommend this author whose style and prose is interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to reading more.
7 reviews
August 22, 2018
Loved this even more than the first, I recommend it if you are into post-apocalyptic, survival books!
Profile Image for Todd Oliver.
697 reviews10 followers
March 21, 2017
Esther's apocalypse at sea continues! Book two has quite a bit more action than the first. Esther creates a game changing new technology that improves sea travel without having to rely on oil. Definitely a game changer!

The romance between Esther and David gets a bit complicated and the tension between is obvious to everyone but them.

If you haven't read the first book yet I highly recommend listening to it first. This book is fine on its own but you'd be missing a good piece of the story. I loved book one and book two is great as well.

A friend asked if this is something she could listen to with her son. Absolutely! No sex and no swearing. Instead of swearing, they use words like salt or rust. This series is great for all ages!

Another great performance by Ray Greenley. He does an excellent job keeping each of the characters sounding different, including a few accents.

Great series so far and I'm looking forward to book 3! I did hear the narrator mention at the end of book two that there was a prequel to listen to called Burnt Sea. I don't see it on Audible yet but I definitely want to find it!
Profile Image for Trine Bradshaw.
3 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2015
Seaswept was purchased within minutes of the link to the e-book being made public, and devoured in a few days. It was absolutely a worthy follower for the first book Seabound. I was fascinated by how Jordan Rivet kept the momentum going the entire way through this book. Revelations about the past, about how this dystopian waterlogged world developed into what it is, and about the history of Esther, our heroine.
The only thing I may have found just a tiny bit trite was the misunderstood exchanges of affection between our two main characters in this book. But I guess it makes sense for a very young girl with no experience to be completely clueless!
I was left hanging at the end, just as I was at the end of Seabound. Wanting to see where this ending will take us next. I will be anxiously awaiting the third part of this saga.
Profile Image for Stephen Self.
67 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2017
Good continuation

This is a nice continuing of the story from the original Seabound novel. The resolutions and coincidences are a bit too tidy at times. I like the spunk and inventiveness of the main female character, though. A good role model for girls.
Profile Image for Kristine Noel.
7 reviews
June 6, 2016
Evolved characters with fast paced story.

Esther is probably my new favorite female character. Smart, resourceful, doesn't simper or require constant rescue, and is adorkably awkward in the best way. This isn't post-apocalyptic chick lit, it's a fun story with well-developed characters living in a world without a gender gap. Looking forward to reading the next book, and hoping for food with hooves.
562 reviews26 followers
November 21, 2016
Nice...

I like Esther. She is the main character in the Seabound books. Incredibly smart, she has singlehandedly designed an eco friendly system that turns seaweed into bio fuel. No more oil needed. Of course, everyone wants the plans. They will go to great lenghts, kidnappings or whatever it takes to secure this machine.
But they kidnap the wrong person and Esther is desperate to get that person back.
Really good series. Can't wait for the next...
Profile Image for C..
770 reviews120 followers
January 30, 2017
More like 3 1/2 -stars. I really got tired of Esther's obsessive thoughts of David! I also did not appreciate how much profanity was in this book, when I don't remember any at all in the first book!
A lot of religious swears, but no "F" bombs.

The story was interesting and engaging enough to keep me hanging in.I will read the third and last book, to see how they do on returning to land.
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,932 reviews40 followers
April 19, 2018
This is a good series.The writing could be beter.The people are one dimensional.I like the engenuity of the characters in making new communites for themselves.Ray Greenley is a good narrator.He spits venom better than almost any narrator I know of.lol I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
19 reviews
October 4, 2015
I thought this was even better than Seabound. It's engrossing from beginning to end. Can't wait for the final installment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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