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Underwater
“Forgiving you will allow me to forgive myself.”
Morgan didn’t mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive—first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then herself.
But Morgan can’t move on. She can’t even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she’s underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school.
When it seems Morgan can’t hold her breath any longer, a new boy moves in next door. Evan reminds her of the salty ocean air and the rush she used to get from swimming. He might be just what she needs to help her reconnect with the world outside.
Morgan didn’t mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive—first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then herself.
But Morgan can’t move on. She can’t even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she’s underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school.
When it seems Morgan can’t hold her breath any longer, a new boy moves in next door. Evan reminds her of the salty ocean air and the rush she used to get from swimming. He might be just what she needs to help her reconnect with the world outside.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
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9322 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Reichardt
5 books258 followersMarisa Reichardt is the critically acclaimed author of the YA novels UNDERWATER, AFTERSHOCKS (2020), and A SHOT AT NORMAL (2021). She has a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California and dual degrees in English & American Literature and Creative Writing from UC San Diego. Before becoming a published author, Marisa worked in academic publications, tutored high school students in writing, and shucked oysters. These days, you can probably find her huddled over her laptop in a coffeehouse or swimming in the ocean.
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October 12, 2015
I talk about voice a lot. I tell students and aspiring writers that making theirs unique and personal to them is absolutely essential. I tell myself that I have to keep pushing to improve the one I've already developed in my own stories.
Because voice...it's the blanket we build that the reader wraps themselves in while they read our work.
The voice can be warm and fuzzy.
It can be heavy and soft.
It can be prickly and slightly itchy.
It can be a million different sensations.
One thing I've never even considered, though, is how it can completely change within a story.
Marisa Reichardt's Underwater does just that. She introduces us to Morgan, a teenager under a self-imposed house arrest. We don't know exactly why Morgan won't go outside. We catch glimpses of the events that led her to be so scared of the world beyond the threshold. She hints at it, comments on it, reminisces on the tragedy, and we feel every short breath, every skipped heartbeat, every bit of weight carried around by this girl. All because of the voice Reichardt wraps us in.
But then...
There's Evan. Morgan's mom. Morgan's brother. Her therapist. Her own desire to regain that connection with the life she's turned her back on.
And the voice begins to change.
It's so subtle. So gradual and smooth that I didn't actually catch it at first. I was about three quarters through the book when I noticed that I could breathe easier. I was smiling. I wasn't gripping the edges of the book so hard that the cover was getting wrinkled. So I flipped back several chapters and realized that Reichardt had been weaving an entirely new blanket for me while I'd been reading. Everything from the descriptive language to the overall sentence structure had been evolving right under my nose without me knowing it.
It's brilliant. And so perfect for this story. Because this story is all about change and moving on. We finally discover what's been keeping Morgan locked inside her house all this time. And while this story doesn't get wrapped up in a tidy, neat, bow in some Disney-esque ending, it does leave us with such a wonderful sense of hope.
This is a book I hope everyone reads at some point. For students and teachers, it's so relevant. To readers, it's rich with complexity. To writers, it's a study in how an author can create a character so compelling, so layered with emotion, one who changes so much within a story, that the voice has a complete arc of its own, too. And that's why I'm giving Underwater by Marisa Reichardt a full five stars. Her book not only was a heartbreaking read that left me smiling, it made me want to become a better writer.
I received an advance copy of UNDERWATER in exchange for an honest review.
Because voice...it's the blanket we build that the reader wraps themselves in while they read our work.
The voice can be warm and fuzzy.
It can be heavy and soft.
It can be prickly and slightly itchy.
It can be a million different sensations.
One thing I've never even considered, though, is how it can completely change within a story.
Marisa Reichardt's Underwater does just that. She introduces us to Morgan, a teenager under a self-imposed house arrest. We don't know exactly why Morgan won't go outside. We catch glimpses of the events that led her to be so scared of the world beyond the threshold. She hints at it, comments on it, reminisces on the tragedy, and we feel every short breath, every skipped heartbeat, every bit of weight carried around by this girl. All because of the voice Reichardt wraps us in.
But then...
There's Evan. Morgan's mom. Morgan's brother. Her therapist. Her own desire to regain that connection with the life she's turned her back on.
And the voice begins to change.
It's so subtle. So gradual and smooth that I didn't actually catch it at first. I was about three quarters through the book when I noticed that I could breathe easier. I was smiling. I wasn't gripping the edges of the book so hard that the cover was getting wrinkled. So I flipped back several chapters and realized that Reichardt had been weaving an entirely new blanket for me while I'd been reading. Everything from the descriptive language to the overall sentence structure had been evolving right under my nose without me knowing it.
It's brilliant. And so perfect for this story. Because this story is all about change and moving on. We finally discover what's been keeping Morgan locked inside her house all this time. And while this story doesn't get wrapped up in a tidy, neat, bow in some Disney-esque ending, it does leave us with such a wonderful sense of hope.
This is a book I hope everyone reads at some point. For students and teachers, it's so relevant. To readers, it's rich with complexity. To writers, it's a study in how an author can create a character so compelling, so layered with emotion, one who changes so much within a story, that the voice has a complete arc of its own, too. And that's why I'm giving Underwater by Marisa Reichardt a full five stars. Her book not only was a heartbreaking read that left me smiling, it made me want to become a better writer.
I received an advance copy of UNDERWATER in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2020
for more reviews, please visit Her Book Thoughts!
"It turned out I wasn't dying on the outside. I was only dying on the inside, where nobody could see."
Wow. Underwater stunned me! This is the first 2016 book that I read for this year and boy what a good choice! This debut novel deserves to be in your to read list people, but don't make it stay there for too long. In fact, after reading my review, I highly suggest that you pick this book up immediately and get to reading.
Morgan doesn't go outside anymore. She study online, she meets with her therapist at her house and she only talks with her mother and her brother. Any other interaction besides that gets her nervous and gives her panic attack. There's a reason behind why Morgan turned out to be this way. You see, she's not used to be like that. But an incident that she witnessed changed everything.
There's a lot to be praised about Underwater but I'll start with the author's vivid and lyrical writing. It's impossible to read this book without the words tugging your heartstrings. Every emotion that Morgan feels are easily rolling off through the pages and you can't help but feel with her. Her sadness, anxiety, excitement and of course, especially her joy. Throughout the whole book I feel like Morgan was just a close friend, and she's telling me her story. And I'm savoring each word.
We can all agree that the plot has been done before. I have read some already. In fact, the concept is not at all new. And like I say everytime, I admire the authors who writes realistic fictions such as this. But what makes Underwater stands out? Underwater doesn't shy away with every issue that a person like Morgan encounters. This novel is raw and real. Every character is alive and will affects you in their own ways. But the most important thing that Underwater have is that it makes you aware. It makes you think! What if you're in the position of Morgans mother? What if you have a friend just like Morgan? What if you're in Morgan's shoes?
There was a romance aspect in this novel as well but its not really the main point of the story. The guy didn't save Morgan, she saved herself. She didn't save herself for the guy either. She did it for herself. And that's what's important to me.
A powerful and mesmerizing novel. That's what Underwater is. There are A LOT of books coming out this year and I'm sure your TBR is already stuffed. But this book is not something you want to miss. Underwater is important, real and provocative. I can't wait to hear more of Marisa Reichardts contribution in the YA table.
"It turned out I wasn't dying on the outside. I was only dying on the inside, where nobody could see."
Wow. Underwater stunned me! This is the first 2016 book that I read for this year and boy what a good choice! This debut novel deserves to be in your to read list people, but don't make it stay there for too long. In fact, after reading my review, I highly suggest that you pick this book up immediately and get to reading.
Morgan doesn't go outside anymore. She study online, she meets with her therapist at her house and she only talks with her mother and her brother. Any other interaction besides that gets her nervous and gives her panic attack. There's a reason behind why Morgan turned out to be this way. You see, she's not used to be like that. But an incident that she witnessed changed everything.
There's a lot to be praised about Underwater but I'll start with the author's vivid and lyrical writing. It's impossible to read this book without the words tugging your heartstrings. Every emotion that Morgan feels are easily rolling off through the pages and you can't help but feel with her. Her sadness, anxiety, excitement and of course, especially her joy. Throughout the whole book I feel like Morgan was just a close friend, and she's telling me her story. And I'm savoring each word.
We can all agree that the plot has been done before. I have read some already. In fact, the concept is not at all new. And like I say everytime, I admire the authors who writes realistic fictions such as this. But what makes Underwater stands out? Underwater doesn't shy away with every issue that a person like Morgan encounters. This novel is raw and real. Every character is alive and will affects you in their own ways. But the most important thing that Underwater have is that it makes you aware. It makes you think! What if you're in the position of Morgans mother? What if you have a friend just like Morgan? What if you're in Morgan's shoes?
There was a romance aspect in this novel as well but its not really the main point of the story. The guy didn't save Morgan, she saved herself. She didn't save herself for the guy either. She did it for herself. And that's what's important to me.
A powerful and mesmerizing novel. That's what Underwater is. There are A LOT of books coming out this year and I'm sure your TBR is already stuffed. But this book is not something you want to miss. Underwater is important, real and provocative. I can't wait to hear more of Marisa Reichardts contribution in the YA table.
February 4, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
On October 15th Morgan’s life changed forever. What she thought was a random act of kindness ended up being anything but and Morgan can’t live with the aftermath . . .
“Why can’t I be happy to be alive instead of afraid of living.”
Now Morgan lives behind the walls of her family’s apartment - never stepping even one foot outside . . .
“Nothing will ever hurt me if I don’t cross the threshold.”
Some days Morgan doesn’t even feel safe to be inside. The days when the rain falls bring back all of the memories of October 15th she has tried so hard to repress . . .
But life moves on around her and Morgan is well aware she needs to always try – even though it might be baby step by baby step – to move on, to cope, to get out once again. After all . . .
“We’re all waiting for things to happen that might never come – things that, if they do come, might not be as bad as the things that have already occurred.”
I picked up this book for one reason and one reason alone - THAT COVER. Naturally, I was denied the ARC. However, thanks to Chelsea’s review this one remained on my radar and I was the first in line for a library copy. What a good book this was. Everything about it seemed so real – from the MC Morgan who knows she was attractive and popular and smart and had everything going for her before, but who can’t figure out how to go on in the now - to Evan who was maybe a bit “two dimensional” (but should have been so because it wasn’t his story) - to family with real-life problems who were actually part of the story - to palpable emotions – to realistic romance that served a purpose (because 17 year old girls do develop crushes on the adorable new-boy-next-door), but did not fix any of the problems. Nope – Morgan had to work through her issues like a real person before she could find light at the end of the tunnel. A light that sure looks prettier when it’s on a beach . . . .
On October 15th Morgan’s life changed forever. What she thought was a random act of kindness ended up being anything but and Morgan can’t live with the aftermath . . .
“Why can’t I be happy to be alive instead of afraid of living.”
Now Morgan lives behind the walls of her family’s apartment - never stepping even one foot outside . . .
“Nothing will ever hurt me if I don’t cross the threshold.”
Some days Morgan doesn’t even feel safe to be inside. The days when the rain falls bring back all of the memories of October 15th she has tried so hard to repress . . .
But life moves on around her and Morgan is well aware she needs to always try – even though it might be baby step by baby step – to move on, to cope, to get out once again. After all . . .
“We’re all waiting for things to happen that might never come – things that, if they do come, might not be as bad as the things that have already occurred.”
I picked up this book for one reason and one reason alone - THAT COVER. Naturally, I was denied the ARC. However, thanks to Chelsea’s review this one remained on my radar and I was the first in line for a library copy. What a good book this was. Everything about it seemed so real – from the MC Morgan who knows she was attractive and popular and smart and had everything going for her before, but who can’t figure out how to go on in the now - to Evan who was maybe a bit “two dimensional” (but should have been so because it wasn’t his story) - to family with real-life problems who were actually part of the story - to palpable emotions – to realistic romance that served a purpose (because 17 year old girls do develop crushes on the adorable new-boy-next-door), but did not fix any of the problems. Nope – Morgan had to work through her issues like a real person before she could find light at the end of the tunnel. A light that sure looks prettier when it’s on a beach . . . .
March 8, 2018
It makes me sad to have to say this but nowadays, a book with a major character dealing with the aftermaths of a high school shooting is a very necessary read and Underwater is that exact book. I wish our society didn’t need this. Parents shouldn’t have to fear for their children every time they went to school but every day, they worry and it breaks my heart to think of how we have to live this way. I know the root cause hasn’t been addressed yet especially in the U.S and I’m not sure if it ever will be so until then, books like this are a simple way to comfort and console those of us who survived such tragic events.
The story centers around Morgan, a survivor of a mass high school shooting. Most of the story happens in her small apartment where she has spent the last five months of her life since the shooting. Afraid of everything, she doesn’t dare step foot out their apartment door until Evan, the too friendly neighbor comes along.
A lot of readers will probably complain why the catalyst for a girl’s change has to be a guy all the time but I really don’t mind in this particularly case because Evan is a great guy who is really right for Morgan. Of course it helps greatly that she has a cool therapist , an adorable little brother and a supportive mother who together form a small but strong network of people to help her get through a difficult phase of her life.
At first, I was bothered by the choppy writing but then slowly understood that this is Morgan speaking. The sadness is loud in her words and clipped sentences but as the story progresses, a significant change in her tone is obvious as she opens herself up to getting better, to getting help and helping herself. Overall, its’ a well written story, easy to read, relatable and genuine.
January 19, 2016
1. Breathe
2. You are okay.
3. You are not dying.
Probably my newest and most shocking addiction, book genre wise, is realistic fiction. It might be a surprise to some people who don’t know how neurotic I am (cough, everyone knows, cough) that there was a time before GR (B.GR.) I didn’t like books that made me feel too heavy or weighed down. I still, admittedly, don’t like to feel depressed while reading because it is supposed to be an escape, but my views have changed almost completely-Reading a story that isn’t sugar coated doesn’t make me heavier…. it makes me feel whole.
I swim. I float. I breathe. I burn. I hope. I dream. I think. I wonder. I am.
Let me explain: Before, when I read a book that wasn’t, I don’t know, action-packed, full of romance, seeped in the paranormal (perhaps another shocking fact seeing as I don’t read many paranormals anymore), I didn’t find it enjoyable. I found it boring, lacking, and without intrigue. But for some reason, the wonderful year of 2015 was my year of change, my year of adventure, my year of trying new things, expanding my horizons, and, ultimately, stepping widely out of my comfort zone. And it greatly benefitted me. I now have so many favorites for 2015 that I couldn’t possibly list them or remember them all. And, believe me, that’s a good thing! Now, since I was so wonderfully stretched this year, I found a new favorite nook to ‘hide’ myself in-Realistic Fiction.
I swear, when I read the first book that was RF in 2015, I literally-literally-face palmed myself. I wasted so many years being a snob, lifting my nose haughtily in the air, turning the other way when realistic fiction was nudged in my direction, that my head was shoved so far up my ass I missed some absolute favorites that I may never find again. Sure, I’ve swept up quite a few…and they were fabulous. But there are so many that I’ve passed over that I will never be able to find all of them again...and that makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. But that’s neither here nor there. 2015 may have been my best year for books ever, but 2016 will be the year of capitalization. I want to take all the wonderful stories I read in 2015 and use them as inspiration for what I NEED to read in 2016-and this is my first realistic fiction of the year. If this is any indication of what my year will be like…I have no reason to be scared, only good things are heading my way.
He chuckles as he rounds the corner and slides down next to me. He knocks his knee against mine. "You okay? Was it too dark, maybe?"
"I don't think my problem was the lights being out."
"I meant the play. That was some pretty dark shit for a bunch of kindergartners."
LOL >.<
I don’t quite know how to explain what this story is about without ruining it, so I’ll be brief. Morgan’s life has been turned upside down: she doesn’t leave her apartment, she takes online classes instead of attending high school, and she sees a therapist every Tuesday and Thursday…in her apartment. She can’t watch the news and she regularly has panic attacks. Her life used to be normal-parties, boys, best friends, and swimming for her high school team. Her life was everything she could ever hope for….and then it wasn’t. One fateful day-October fifteenth-forever shaped her in ways she never imagined possible. Guilt threatens to smother her and secrets almost bury her alive. If only if only….if only it hadn’t happened. If only he hadn’t been there…if only. What if [less than] one hour of horror took everything good away from you in the blink of an eye-extinguished all your hopes and dreams by taking your freedom from you in an instant. What would you do? Morgan can’t even fathom walking outside her apartment. Well...at least until Evan moves in next door.
And that's one more thing that makes me know that even though Evan and I live next door to each other, we are miles apart.
He will leave his house every day.
He will traipse through the courtyard of our building.
I will watch him go.
He will be a boy living out in the world.
I will be a girl peeking out from behind a curtain.
Aaahhhh Evan!!!! I adored him, naturally. He was sweet, kind, caring, endearing, loyal, and everything that Morgan needed. He really was so much more than a love interest. He was her rock. He was her light at the end of the tunnel. He was the person that created the spark that stoked her inner fire again. He may have been just one of many inspirations in her life, because she adores her brother and mother, but he was the oxygen she needed to come back to life….he was her lifeline.
"You weren't swimming. You were sitting at the bottom of the pool doing nothing."
"I was thinking!"
"Well, stop thinking!"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
And it’s crazy because, while I thought he would have a large part in the story since he was in it so much at the beginning, he really wasn’t in it near as much as I’d have hoped. But that’s my point-he wasn’t an extremely large part, but he had a massive impact and burrowed himself deep in my heart. She pushed him away and pushed him away and shunned him, one of my problems with the story even though I could never possibly understand her pain, yet he never gave up on her. It warmed my heart and soul, lighting me from the inside out, igniting my warm fuzzies and fluttery butterflies.
"I didn't want it to get cold. That's why I needed you to open up," he says.
"Thanks, Superman."
He grins like he's relieved I'm calling him that. I notice dimples digging into his tan cheeks. There's a part of me that wants to nudge my pointer finger into one of them because they're so cute.
"I'm not superman. Clark Kent, maybe. Not Superman."
The bonds formed in this book, her mother, brother, Evan, her friends, Brenda [her therapist], they were beautiful. They were by far the biggest highlight and strongest selling point in this story, and I found the relationships wholly realistic-they were honest and raw, gritty and deep. Relationships aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, puppies and kittens, flowers and unicorns-they are harsh and true and fragile as glass…but if you open yourself up, trust in others and in yourself, they can be the most rewarding asset in your life.
Morgan’s struggles resonated deeply within me…until they didn’t. Ouch, okay, hear me out. The beginning was so strong, and I adored every minute, even in the end. But at one point, when she began to push Evan away (repeatedly) I had a hard time connecting with it. And that’s the thing, you don’t have to. It’s the truth. People have moments in their lives where they are at their lowest and they can’t believe someone would want to go through it with them-for them, and that’s where I lost my ability to understand. I hurt when she hurt, I ached when she ached, and I yearned when she yearned….but for about ten percent at one point (you’ll know when) I couldn’t fathom why she went there. Other than that?? This book was perfection..and I can’t imagine never having learned about it.
Her journey, her quest to restore faith in humanity-and the world-is one I don’t know I could have traveled. A quote from my favorite series of all time sums up Morgan’s life perfectly- ’It takes ten times as long to pull yourself together as it does to fall apart’ . And it’s true. It’s simple. It’s right. But most importantly, it applies to me. If what happened to her had happened to me, I might not have been as strong or as courageous as she (well, she gets there, that’s the whole point). It took one moment, maybe 20 minutes, for her world to shatter into oblivion….yet it took her months to try and walk out her door. Being reduced to a heaping, crumpled pile on the floor is a harsh thing…but it’s what we do after that defines who we are. I only hope I never have to live through such a tragedy…but if I do, I hope I’ll have the courage to put one foot in front of the other and live my life to the fullest. It’s all any of us can do.
Thank you, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, for bringing this wonderful book to my attention ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
***********
I swim. I float. I breathe. I burn. I hope. I dream. I think. I wonder. I am.
This book was everything I hoped for it to be...yet there was still something that kept it from being an instant favorite. Perhaps my mood, my tiredness (from being severely sick), or just a lack of one little thing were the causes, or maybe it just is what it is: A very endearing, thought-provoking book that touched me deeply, but didn't stay with me. Staying with that format, I don't have time to write a review right now, seeing as I'm at work and was late because I'm sick (again), but I will post one tomorrow for this wonderful and heart-warming story.
Hope I can do it justice!
Thank you, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, for bringing this wonderful book to my attention ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
July 4, 2016
Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book!
I loved this book because I could relate so much to the main character, not the traumatic experience, but the anxiety and agoraphobia that she developed. So many things had me nodding my head in agreement. I loved the cute little romance that happened throughout and how supportive they both were and they were just so good for each other BUT he was only really supportive and good for her towards the end. It took him a while to actually understand what she was going through and how to react to certain things that she did. Sooooo I'm kind of 50/50 on the romance.
It doesn't explicitly say what Morgan went through in the synopsis, but you find out about a quarter of the way through that and there was something about that day that Morgan hasn't told anybody.
There was one part of the novel that really resonated with me and it's when Morgan is with her psychologist (who is awesome, by the way) and they managed to leave the house which was a huge feat in itself and Morgan says, 'I can't do it', and Brenda says something like, 'You're already doing it'. Your brain tries to trick you, and I recently had an experience where mine tried to trick me while I was on my prac for uni, and I'd get to school and say to myself that I couldn't do it, but I just needed to remind myself that I was there. I was already doing it. I could do this. I don't know if the author has a background in psychology, but I loved how the psychologist in the book actually knew what she was talking about.
I definitely recommend this one!
I loved this book because I could relate so much to the main character, not the traumatic experience, but the anxiety and agoraphobia that she developed. So many things had me nodding my head in agreement. I loved the cute little romance that happened throughout and how supportive they both were and they were just so good for each other BUT he was only really supportive and good for her towards the end. It took him a while to actually understand what she was going through and how to react to certain things that she did. Sooooo I'm kind of 50/50 on the romance.
It doesn't explicitly say what Morgan went through in the synopsis, but you find out about a quarter of the way through that and there was something about that day that Morgan hasn't told anybody.
There was one part of the novel that really resonated with me and it's when Morgan is with her psychologist (who is awesome, by the way) and they managed to leave the house which was a huge feat in itself and Morgan says, 'I can't do it', and Brenda says something like, 'You're already doing it'. Your brain tries to trick you, and I recently had an experience where mine tried to trick me while I was on my prac for uni, and I'd get to school and say to myself that I couldn't do it, but I just needed to remind myself that I was there. I was already doing it. I could do this. I don't know if the author has a background in psychology, but I loved how the psychologist in the book actually knew what she was talking about.
I definitely recommend this one!
January 7, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley.)
This was an interesting story about a girl dealing with PTSD after an event at her high school.
I felt quite sorry for Morgan in this story, as what had happened wasn’t her fault, but she felt guilty anyway for what she felt was her part in the incident. It seemed quite obvious that she was suffering once I got into the book, and her limitations because of it was pretty harsh.
The storyline in this was part mystery – over what had actually happened to Morgan at school, and part contemporary romance as Morgan met her new neighbour Evan. This blended quite well and the story flowed nicely, although I did want to find out what had happened a bit quicker than we did.
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was pleased that Morgan was able to make the progress she did.
6.5 out of 10
“I wish you thought about me more than a little,” he says. “I think about you more than a little.”
This was an interesting story about a girl dealing with PTSD after an event at her high school.
I felt quite sorry for Morgan in this story, as what had happened wasn’t her fault, but she felt guilty anyway for what she felt was her part in the incident. It seemed quite obvious that she was suffering once I got into the book, and her limitations because of it was pretty harsh.
The storyline in this was part mystery – over what had actually happened to Morgan at school, and part contemporary romance as Morgan met her new neighbour Evan. This blended quite well and the story flowed nicely, although I did want to find out what had happened a bit quicker than we did.
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was pleased that Morgan was able to make the progress she did.
6.5 out of 10
October 9, 2019
Re read October 2019
April 1, 2015
I was lucky enough to get my hands on this stunning debut and I cannot say enough about the power of this novel. The MC deals with anxiety and PTSD and this trauma-induced illness forces her to shut herself inside a small California apartment. But there is nothing gloomy about this novel. Morgan, our heroic MC, has so much depth and competence throughout her story and remains connected to the deepest love for her little brother and mother. The little brother, incidentally, jumps off the page with his boyish charm and innocence, which is contextualized within his own struggle to accept their family’s shifted reality. The microcosm in this apartment is filled with enough hope and support to keep the reader cheering for the main character’s recovery. Step by step.
The ease of this author’s language lulls you into Morgan’s world, her story, her struggle. The writing is never heavy-handed. And the anxiety and mental illness born of a traumatic event? It is handled with such authentic expertise that I know readers will easily be able to identify with Morgan. With all her strengths and weaknesses. They will see themselves reflected in her insights, fears, needs. She is real. She is flawed. She is complex and gorgeous in her complexity. And she embodies strength in every literal step she takes toward defining how she can live in the outside world.
There is also a love interest, and Evan couldn’t be more amazing. He’s as easy as a California beach day, accepts Morgan for who she is and meets her there without ever forcing her to move outside her comfort zone. Plus, he’s hilarious and swoony and smart—and also quiet when he needs to be. What I found most compelling about the love interest was that he was never the catalyst for Morgan’s recovery, a solution a less competent writer could have easily woven into the storyline. Instead, Evan’s acceptance and patience allows Morgan the physical and mental space she needs to recover. Is she lured to the California beach air? It’s sand? His abs? The water she craves? Yes. And this tension lives throughout the story. But Morgan must decide if this journey beyond her anxiety is one that she wants to take for herself. Not for a boy. Not forced for another. This is an honest read about a teen girl struggling with the crippling effects of anxiety and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these pages. It’s hard to imagine a YA fan that wouldn’t.
The ease of this author’s language lulls you into Morgan’s world, her story, her struggle. The writing is never heavy-handed. And the anxiety and mental illness born of a traumatic event? It is handled with such authentic expertise that I know readers will easily be able to identify with Morgan. With all her strengths and weaknesses. They will see themselves reflected in her insights, fears, needs. She is real. She is flawed. She is complex and gorgeous in her complexity. And she embodies strength in every literal step she takes toward defining how she can live in the outside world.
There is also a love interest, and Evan couldn’t be more amazing. He’s as easy as a California beach day, accepts Morgan for who she is and meets her there without ever forcing her to move outside her comfort zone. Plus, he’s hilarious and swoony and smart—and also quiet when he needs to be. What I found most compelling about the love interest was that he was never the catalyst for Morgan’s recovery, a solution a less competent writer could have easily woven into the storyline. Instead, Evan’s acceptance and patience allows Morgan the physical and mental space she needs to recover. Is she lured to the California beach air? It’s sand? His abs? The water she craves? Yes. And this tension lives throughout the story. But Morgan must decide if this journey beyond her anxiety is one that she wants to take for herself. Not for a boy. Not forced for another. This is an honest read about a teen girl struggling with the crippling effects of anxiety and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these pages. It’s hard to imagine a YA fan that wouldn’t.
September 24, 2015
I AM SO BLOWN AWAY.
I don't even know where to start....
Okay, this. THIS: read this book. It's so beautifully written and so relevant and so important right now.
JUST READ IT, M'KAY??!
I don't even know where to start....
Okay, this. THIS: read this book. It's so beautifully written and so relevant and so important right now.
JUST READ IT, M'KAY??!
September 8, 2015
LYRICAL, SPARE, AND RICH, all at the same time.
Debut author Marisa Reichardt has written a beautiful, honest, heart-ripping novel.
It's been a long time since I a book pulled me back into what it truly feels like to be sixteen. This novel did that.
It would've been easy for an author to allow Morgan--the main character--to wander into pathetic territory, after what all she's been through. But with Reichardt's deft handling, watching Morgan brave it out as she overcomes obstacles and finds her way back to life is thrilling and gut-wrenching and uplifting.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE FOLKS!!! Highly Recommend!!
Debut author Marisa Reichardt has written a beautiful, honest, heart-ripping novel.
It's been a long time since I a book pulled me back into what it truly feels like to be sixteen. This novel did that.
It would've been easy for an author to allow Morgan--the main character--to wander into pathetic territory, after what all she's been through. But with Reichardt's deft handling, watching Morgan brave it out as she overcomes obstacles and finds her way back to life is thrilling and gut-wrenching and uplifting.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE FOLKS!!! Highly Recommend!!
July 6, 2017
3.5
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
Is it weird that I connected to Morgan first as a swimmer? I mean, I was hooked from that point on, because swimming. Not that it was what the book was about, but apparently I feel camaraderie with all swimmers, even fictional ones. And then you add in the (what I assume would be classified as) agoraphobia she's suffering from due to trauma, and yeah, sold.
There are two things about this book that I loved best: Morgan's journey, and Morgan's relationship with her family.
It's hard to get into Morgan's whole process because basically, I don't plan on spoiling stuff. She works with a counselor to help her overcome the things in her life that are keeping her quite literally trapped inside her small apartment bubble. The outside world is too scary, too unknown, and Morgan just can't face it. So her therapist comes to her. I loved that Brenda (the therapist) was so willing to think outside the box and treat Morgan however she had to. They had a good patient-counselor relationship, and I found Brenda's responses and actions to be appropriate and well presented, which is absolutely essential for me in a book with mental health representation. The only people Morgan ever physically encounters outside of Brenda are her mom, her little brother Ben, and Evan, the guy who just moved into her apartment complex.
Morgan's family is just amazing. Her mom loves her so much, and the best part was that Morgan loved her mom right back. She referenced several times in the book that her mom's opinions were so important to her- as were Ben's. You could tell how fiercely she loved that little boy, and it made my heart swell.
And I can't even tell you the best moment of the book for me, because it would be ten different kinds of spoilery, but it gave me so many feels at once... oh my goodness. There are a lot of really sweet moments throughout, and a lot of really somber and tense ones too, but that is what gives it such a realistic feeling! Her family was so supportive, but they also got frustrated, just like anyone would. And Morgan learned so, so much about herself and others during the book- it was quite the journey indeed.
So book was perfect?
Ah, not quite, my darlings. First, I felt like the "mystery" was a bit... overdone. I didn't know why it was a mystery, frankly. Or at least, why some of it was. Also, I don't know how exactly to explain the other parts without spoiling stuff. Such a quandary. You people always read the spoiler tags even if I say not to but... I guess you're mature enough to decide for yourselves. I will leave them as non-spoilery as a spoiler tag can be, but if you haven't read the book....
Bottom Line
Aside from those few small things, this was a really solid book. It was a combination of emotions, which is always a win, and I loved the focus on family. Morgan's struggles were portrayed quite well, and she was definitely a character to root for.
**Copy provided by publisher for review
December 22, 2015
UNDERWATER is the story of Morgan, a high school student who hasn't forgiven herself for the role she thinks she played in a horrible tragedy. Morgan literally can't move on—she is confined to her apartment, too afraid to venture beyond the front door. She takes online courses and has lost touch with her former friends. She has stopped swimming, which used to be her passion. But when newcomer Evan moves in next door and reminds Morgan of everything she used to love, she starts to wonder if she's capable of living again—really living—and letting go of her debilitating fear.
UNDERWATER is the story of a girl dealing with the aftermath of something terrifying, something nobody should ever have to go through. It's the story of a family that has unraveled. It's about forgiveness and acceptance and grief and confessions and truth. And it's so stunningly real. Every page, every sentence, every word is authentic. This book made me hold my breath. This book made my heart hurt. This book made my eyes widen. This book made me compulsively turn pages. The words were alternately claws digging into me, sirens in my ears, weight on my chest, tears in my eyes. What Morgan felt, I felt. I spent a lot of this book hurting because she was hurting so badly. As an author, making readers care about a character that intensely is not easy to do. This is a testament to Marisa Reichardt's jaw-dropping talent.
As devastating as this book is, there is also so much hope infused in the pages. It's the kind of hope that feels slippery and out of reach at times, and that makes it real. There are different levels of hope and strength and they're intertwined. Sometimes they're twisted up in a knot but if they can get out of that knot, they can both become lifelines. When the book starts, Morgan is too scared to step onto her welcome mat. But as the story goes on, she gets stronger in so many ways. You'll cheer for every inch of her progress. If you're like me, you might cheer out loud and startle the Chihuahua sleeping on your lap.
Marisa's prose is piercing. It's a storm and a lullaby. The scope of her skill as an author is enormous and I'm still in awe. She has the rare ability to write the kind of voice that not just fully absorbs a reader, but fills the reader up. Her talent is both jaw-dropping and inspiring.
This is a book I need to read again. (Good thing I preordered months ago!) This is a book everyone needs to read. This is a book that has imprinted itself on my heart.
UNDERWATER is the story of a girl dealing with the aftermath of something terrifying, something nobody should ever have to go through. It's the story of a family that has unraveled. It's about forgiveness and acceptance and grief and confessions and truth. And it's so stunningly real. Every page, every sentence, every word is authentic. This book made me hold my breath. This book made my heart hurt. This book made my eyes widen. This book made me compulsively turn pages. The words were alternately claws digging into me, sirens in my ears, weight on my chest, tears in my eyes. What Morgan felt, I felt. I spent a lot of this book hurting because she was hurting so badly. As an author, making readers care about a character that intensely is not easy to do. This is a testament to Marisa Reichardt's jaw-dropping talent.
As devastating as this book is, there is also so much hope infused in the pages. It's the kind of hope that feels slippery and out of reach at times, and that makes it real. There are different levels of hope and strength and they're intertwined. Sometimes they're twisted up in a knot but if they can get out of that knot, they can both become lifelines. When the book starts, Morgan is too scared to step onto her welcome mat. But as the story goes on, she gets stronger in so many ways. You'll cheer for every inch of her progress. If you're like me, you might cheer out loud and startle the Chihuahua sleeping on your lap.
Marisa's prose is piercing. It's a storm and a lullaby. The scope of her skill as an author is enormous and I'm still in awe. She has the rare ability to write the kind of voice that not just fully absorbs a reader, but fills the reader up. Her talent is both jaw-dropping and inspiring.
This is a book I need to read again. (Good thing I preordered months ago!) This is a book everyone needs to read. This is a book that has imprinted itself on my heart.
November 23, 2015
I will be totally honest: I read this a few weeks ago, but I've been too intimidated to review it. That's how deeply I felt it, how special and important I believe this book is.
All of Morgan's setbacks and triumphs dug so far into my heart; it was incredibly hard to let go of this story at the end. You know when you just want good things for someone? That's what I felt for Morgan and Ben and Evan and everyone in this book. And Marisa Reichardt's words are written with such a quiet and lyrical confidence, I knew I was in the best of hands from page 1.
Do not miss this.
TS gets me here.
All of Morgan's setbacks and triumphs dug so far into my heart; it was incredibly hard to let go of this story at the end. You know when you just want good things for someone? That's what I felt for Morgan and Ben and Evan and everyone in this book. And Marisa Reichardt's words are written with such a quiet and lyrical confidence, I knew I was in the best of hands from page 1.
Do not miss this.
TS gets me here.
February 9, 2017
Edited to add: I find it a little heartbreaking that I don't hear about this book more often. Maybe it, like so many quiet books, got a little lost in the shuffle of 2016, but in my opinion, it's extraordinary. The writing is pure and exquisite and the emotional arc is so nuanced and masterful. If you liked The First Time She Drowned, give this a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
A beautiful, heartfelt, purifying read. This inspired me in so many ways. If you're dealing with anxiety or PTSD or trauma, this book will remind you that the baby steps ARE the big steps. You will be changed.
A beautiful, heartfelt, purifying read. This inspired me in so many ways. If you're dealing with anxiety or PTSD or trauma, this book will remind you that the baby steps ARE the big steps. You will be changed.
August 10, 2015
READ THIS BOOK!
This book is poetry and laughter and stunning, lyrical truths. I didn't want to leave Morgan's world when I finished this book. I felt so attached to her that I didn't want to let her go.
Marisa Reichardt has written a powerful and moving story that stirs in my thoughts even now, weeks after I finished it.
You won't be able to put this book down, so carve out several days of your life to dedicate to UNDERWATER, you won't regret it!
This book is poetry and laughter and stunning, lyrical truths. I didn't want to leave Morgan's world when I finished this book. I felt so attached to her that I didn't want to let her go.
Marisa Reichardt has written a powerful and moving story that stirs in my thoughts even now, weeks after I finished it.
You won't be able to put this book down, so carve out several days of your life to dedicate to UNDERWATER, you won't regret it!
May 26, 2016
Why can't I be happy to be alive instead of afraid of living?
If you're in between books or looking for your next great read, I highly suggest picking this novel up. I've been in such a massive reading slump lately, but this book shook me right out of it. It managed to hold my attention from start to finish, and quite honestly for a debut novel to tackle such heavy and important topics, Underwater completely took me by surprise and stunned me.
Marisa Reichardt's writing is artfully balanced. Her prose is compelling, sharp, and tightly woven. Even though I wasn't able to read this in one sitting--busy, busy week for me--I was still able to fly through reading this because it was so easy on the eyes, and incredibly hard to put down. The pacing does seem to fall a little on the slow side at first, but now looking back I see that it is steadied and consistent. It never once dragged for me, nor was I ever bored, but it does take its time building up the characters in a way I can most certainly appreciate. It moves along unhurried and I think that made such a huge difference in how I was able to identify with the main character, Morgan.
Speaking of Morgan, I was actually quite surprised at just how much I was able to relate to her and connect with her extreme fear of the outside world. Agoraphobia is one of those fears that I just never really understood how it could be so crippling and panic-inducing, (I mean, there are lots of ways to die at home, you know? Reason #79 as to why I could never be a psychologist.) but the author did such an excellent job of putting Morgan's trauma into a perspective that I could easily make sense of. Reading this book helped me to understand how one moment, one event can change everything about you. It can alter your perceptions. It can place a seed of fear inside you that, that without proper help, can grow out of control and trample you to the ground. I get that now. And I'm so much better because of it.
There's also a strong focus on family, which of course I loved. Morgan's family didn't fade into the background. They were there by her side through her hiccups, her breakdowns, and her triumphs. They were supportive and encouraging and gave her the extra push she sometimes needed. But they also existed with problems of their own. You see the toll that Morgan's illness takes on her mom and brother. You understand her mother's exhaustion when she comes home from a hard day of laborious work and still have to work to keep her family together. You get that her brother has a hard time understanding what's going on. And as a bonus, you see that depression and trauma manifests in many forms through her father, who also needs help to combat demons of his own.
There's also a romance and let's face it, it's of the insta-love variety. But I didn't mind it so much because it doesn't at all overwhelm the plot in my opinion, and was such a sweet addition. In fact, I think it actually added to the story by showing the importance of Morgan moving forward by reconnecting with not just past friendships but also engaging in new and intimate ones. And okay, maybe the book could have done without it by just allowing Evan and Morgan to blossom as friends, but I still swooned over Evan like it was nobody's business. ;)
Underwater is a quiet, heartfelt debut novel about overcoming fear and moving forward through life's setbacks, rediscovering yourself when you fall apart, and learning how to forgive others while also learning the importance of forgiving yourself. More people should be talking about this book. There's a lot of depth to this novel and Marisa Reichardt tackles some very tough topics with an ease that is wholly impressive and feels honest and unforced.
Underwater isn't a perfect novel, but it deserves every last one of these five stars I'm giving it. It's a moving and realistic portrayal of trauma, and although it's a short, quick read it packs quite a punch.
October 21, 2015
Magic. Absolute magic.
I feel like my review won't do this masterpiece justice. Maybe that's why I've taken so long to finally do so. I am so fond of the cover and the UK version, too. Have you seen it? Have you?
YESSSSSS. YESSSSSS.
I could brag about the covers of 2016 YA for hours, believe me. But before this becomes a giant discussion post, instead, let's fangirl over Underwater.
Morgan has it good. She's surrounded by a lovely troupe of friends and takes great joy in swimming. But after playing an unintentional role in a high school shooting, Morgan becomes a shell of herself and locks herself in her apartment to cope. Agoraphobic and suffering from anxiety and PTSD, Morgan finds herself only able to face her mother, her little brother, and her therapist.
So when a new boy, Evan, moves into the apartment complex, fresh from Hawaii. She's not only taken by his handsomeness but his charisma. After Morgan is convinced she scared him off in their introduction, he returns day after day, charming as ever. As Morgan slowly lowers her walls, the relationship between she and Evan blossoms.
I was struck by this story. It's phenomenal. I was shaking during certain portions. I was tearful. And when I finished, I immediately wanted to start over and reread. (Still craving that grilled cheese, BTW.) This debut is so special and memorable and breathtaking, everyone needs to place this at the very top of their TBR.
-
PR:
God, this was magic. A gorgeous, gorgeous YA filled with great friends, great grilled cheeses, real emotions, an understanding family, and the dreamiest boy. I still have tears in my eyes.
RTC.
I feel like my review won't do this masterpiece justice. Maybe that's why I've taken so long to finally do so. I am so fond of the cover and the UK version, too. Have you seen it? Have you?
YESSSSSS. YESSSSSS.
I could brag about the covers of 2016 YA for hours, believe me. But before this becomes a giant discussion post, instead, let's fangirl over Underwater.
Morgan has it good. She's surrounded by a lovely troupe of friends and takes great joy in swimming. But after playing an unintentional role in a high school shooting, Morgan becomes a shell of herself and locks herself in her apartment to cope. Agoraphobic and suffering from anxiety and PTSD, Morgan finds herself only able to face her mother, her little brother, and her therapist.
So when a new boy, Evan, moves into the apartment complex, fresh from Hawaii. She's not only taken by his handsomeness but his charisma. After Morgan is convinced she scared him off in their introduction, he returns day after day, charming as ever. As Morgan slowly lowers her walls, the relationship between she and Evan blossoms.
I was struck by this story. It's phenomenal. I was shaking during certain portions. I was tearful. And when I finished, I immediately wanted to start over and reread. (Still craving that grilled cheese, BTW.) This debut is so special and memorable and breathtaking, everyone needs to place this at the very top of their TBR.
-
PR:
God, this was magic. A gorgeous, gorgeous YA filled with great friends, great grilled cheeses, real emotions, an understanding family, and the dreamiest boy. I still have tears in my eyes.
RTC.
October 4, 2016
One of my favorite YA contemporaries EVER! This emotionally gripping story has readers laughing one second and in tears the next. Fans of John Green books should definitely pick up Underwater! Watch out YA Fiction world, Underwater is going to capture readers of all ages and become a best-seller in minutes! Overall 5/5 stars; if this book isn't already on your to-read list, add it ASAP!
October 2, 2022
Under the water, you can't breathe, you can't breathe. So says Aurora. Though I may catch flak from the Creature from the North herself for quoting her whilst listening to Warpaint's new album Heads up.
Under the water, you can't breathe, you can't breathe.
But.
This is a story about a girl who breathes underwater. It's the only place she feels safe, in fact, it is the only place she can breathe, you see?
It's strange, as it often is with strange beauty and stranger things. It is odd, I have been going through some personal stuff, nothing major just hangups mostly, so in a sense, I am stuck in stasis, though however sweet that state is, it is still stasis nonetheless. What I am saying is, I get it, not wanting to leave the sanctuary of your own making. Now I am not comparing wounds, fictional or real nor I am belittling Morgan here, who because of her name reminds me of Eva Green in Camelot a very game precursor of Game of Thrones circa April 2011. And hey, in this new song anything is possible.
Anyway, the point is I understand wanting to shut out the world, I can relate if only a little but I do relate to it. The book as a whole felt aqueous, very, and I liked that. Without being overblown this could be seen in another way; a mermaid finding her way into the water again, after being hurt that is. This book was about healing and accepting. Sometimes they are one and the same.
Two things
a ) I didn't realize this was about a school shooting but it was all background stuff. All saddening but I guess after so many shootings, numbness is all there is at this point.
b ) wasn't expecting romance of any kind but that's what happened from the get-go, a catalyst of sorts, that's what was offered from the start and I guess it was serviceable though a little fictiony and unrealistic.
And let's face it, the whole romance and Evan on whole felt tacked on, I mean I didn't buy it. Also, Evan did something questionable and it was never explained. I thought maybe it was a ploy to get Morgan out of her shell but nope, that was just Evan being a dick.
um, did anyone else notice a few similarities between this and the Great American Whatever novel? How this was also about a MC refusing to venture out? Morgan however spent more time indoors than Quinn did, that's for sure. But her character, her story, her arc, and her getting through her very real pain was written so beautifully, trauma was handled just right. Morgan's the type of character I wanted to like immediately. I really liked Morgan. Sometimes that's even better than actually liking, wanting to like.
Should you read this novel? This is kinda book that you can finish in one sitting and I did, more or less. It helped me. Immensely. It was familial that way. It made me want to want again, to go out again, to get a jar to paint my face, and grab summer again, though this is fall. It made me feel colors again and want to eat them too. So should you read this? I don't know. But for me, after a long while, just like last September it made me feel like me again.
This marks the third instance where I came across something featuring surfing and unrelated suffering attached to it, makes me wanna get on a board. So what were they?
Keeper
The Shallows (a very watery Blake Lively)
and this
Underwater
and can we say, what an awesome UK edition, love it. Prefer it and got this version for that very cover.
Happy trails everyone. Back to water.
codicil: I just remembered, Under the water was one of the first books of 2016 that I wanted to read. In fact, it was the very first I added to read here back in Dec 2015 I think. So, do I regret it? Nope. It wasn't that good even if it was. The writing here is good enough that I want it to be even better. We all could be a little better, we all could do a little better. Do better.
June 3, 2016
Underwater, Marisa Reichardt’s wonderful debut, is a book about the debilitating depths of fear and the stunning power of courageous hope. It begs to be read in one sitting and commands to be felt deeply. Underwater is a story about Morgan, a 16-year-old girl suffering from agoraphobia after a traumatic event. Morgan hasn’t left the house in months – she attends school online, has her own little rituals while her family is away and she meets her pro bono therapist in her own living room. Even the thought of going outside makes her panic until the right motivation comes along.
When I talk about motivation, I want it to be clear that Evan, the boy that moves in next door, isn’t some easy fix for her illness. I was afraid of that approach when I first read the description, but Reichardt was very careful not to make it seem superficial and easy. She gave Morgan time to heal on her own. Morgan was pushed by her desire to spend time with Evan, but there were so many steps she needed to take first and all of them had very little to do with him.
Morgan’s issues aren’t the only thing she faces in this book. Her father struggles with mental illness and alcoholism after many tours in Afghanistan. Morgan doesn’t understand how her father could abandon his family. She can’t forgive him for time lost and for choosing to be homeless rather than live with them. This was, perhaps, the most genuine, honest part of the book. I love that Morgan had to go through her own condition and disappointments in order to better understand her dad. Their (non)relationship was done exceptionally well and I admire Marisa Reichardt for approaching the subject so tactfully. Once again, no easy fixes were offered because such things simply don’t exist in life, but one could take away a strong message of hope even with the open ending and issues that were left unresolved.
I love Reichardt’s style mostly because it’s understated. She knows how to convey genuine emotions without resorting to cheap tear-jerkers. The things she introduced in Underwater are some of the biggest open wounds of modern society and yet they were done sensitively and thoughtfully. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
January 29, 2016
UNDERWATER is about the process of healing, and the powerful way our connectedness can influence that process. The central story is about a girl recovering from a terrible trauma, but there are so many other stories here, too, and they all weave together so beautifully. That's the way this book felt to me... woven like a tapestry, with relationships binding everything together. There were scenes that felt like snapshots--vivid and alive like snapshots from my own family's albums. So many moments (even very small, seemingly incidental moments,) would spring off the page with warmth and life and love, and despite the darkness of the subject matter, my heart would fill with light. There's so much hope in this book--the hope that comes from stubborn determination. Morgan struggles, but she's a fighter. I loved her journey, and I loved this book!
I received an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
January 13, 2016
3 stars
Disclaimer: these three star reviews are so pesky, because I think readers (including myself) automatically associate them with negativity. That's really not the case for me! Three stars is a generally positive rating, but it can also mean a lot of different things. It's a book that's good but not special. It's a book that I'm glad I read but probably won't re-read. It's a book that did not meet the high expectations I set for it, despite being an overall enjoyable read. Or, as is the case with Underwater, it's a book that had, quite simply, a mix of elements that worked for me and those that didn't.
Now that I got that out of the way, I can certainly see why so many early reviews have gushed about it. The story is very, very timely for what's going in the United States today. It's relevant, and this type of plot line will always hold that sort of haunting feeling. I'm being purposely vague because it takes Morgan, our main character, a little while to reveal exactly what happened to her. Which is actually one of the reasons I struggled with the book, especially in the beginning. I even wanted to put it down for good at one point, because I was not connecting to Morgan at all, and the writing style was definitely something I had to get used to. I wasn't a fan of her narration. But - and this is for readers who want to give up early on like I did - pushing through to the why of the situation is ultimately rewarding. I felt really bad at first because the aftermath of what Morgan is going through - her anxiety, her guilt - is horrible, yet I felt very distanced from her. Her agoraphobia felt like a plot device. I hate to say it, but I couldn't help but think the book a poor man's Everything, Everything.
But like I said, the book did improve for me, and I thought Morgan's growth and healing, especially in regards to her tricky relationship with her dad, was very well done. I love that there was a strong theme of family, and that the one person Morgan thought she could never understand or forgive is someone she learned from, by way of his own mistakes and because she was mature enough to see her own situation reflected in his. She does a lot of growing up in this book, and even though some of the situations toward the end seemed too contrived, that at least was handled with more complexity. I do wish the romance had been stronger. The love interest is bland and uninspiring and I couldn't get into their relationship in the slightest. Which, knowing me, is a bummer.
With all the glowing reviews out there, I wish I could have liked Underwater more, but I'm glad that at least in the second half I was finally able to connect to the story and sympathize more with Morgan. It's definitely a book that would be great for a book club, with lots of potential for discussion. I will be reading more reviews of it, for sure!
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
September 12, 2015
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of UNDERWATER.
I love all of the characters--Morgan, Evan, Ben, Brenda, Taylor. Each has a unique story in this novel and the way their stories are woven together makes for a beautiful novel.
I love all of the characters--Morgan, Evan, Ben, Brenda, Taylor. Each has a unique story in this novel and the way their stories are woven together makes for a beautiful novel.
December 5, 2015
This book radiates a quiet strength. Completely lovely and redemptive and hopeful and Morgan Grant is a total badass.
November 23, 2016
Underwater by Marisa Reichardt surprised me.
I’ve been in a MAJOR book slump these past couple of weeks. I kept falling out of books around the 50 page mark or less. Now let me take a minute to say that I don’t consider the books that I left unfinished bad books. I will likely try them again in the future. These slumps are all me. That said though—I do consider the book that eventually puts the kibosh on my slump extraordinary. It has to be to break through all the static interfering with my concentration. Underwater is the extraordinary book that broke this slump.
Morgan is housebound--well apartment bound actually. She hasn’t left her apartment in months. A terrifying tragedy (I’m not sure if this plot point is a secret, but I’ll put up the spoiler wall just in case—.) left Morgan scared to leave the safety of her home, where she lives with her Mom and little brother. At home, she can control who to let in, what to eat, what to talk about or not talk about, and more. But what we choose not to talk about might be the one thing we need to talk about. Morgan’s trying though. Trying to work through her fears day by day, one by one. And a big push and inspiration arrives knocking on her door. Should she answer? Hell yeah! It’s the cute surfer boy who just moved in next door!
There’s a lot going on in this little book. Sweet and serious. But it worked for me. A couple of big issues are addressed along with Morgan’s agoraphobia. Like her father’s drinking and post-traumatic stress disorder. I loved the juxtaposition of Morgan’s emotional turmoil with her Dad’s PTSD. Two different situations, but both huge battles to struggle with. And both Morgan and her Dad are dealing or not dealing with them in their own way. Good and bad. I liked how Morgan began to see her Dad’s behavior in a different light due to her situation. Sometimes even though we want to get help or stop doing something doesn’t mean it’s going to be that easy. Your mind and body need time and help to get better and heal. Morgan gets help and support from her family and friends. Old and new. One being the cute guy next door, Evan. The cute Hawaiian, surfer boy from next door! Evan is a big part of this story, but I love how the slowly brewing possible romance and sparks are portrayed. The romance and cute boy are not the cure or main reason for Morgan to get better. Evan is just one of the many reasons for Morgan to get out into the world again. Life comes a ’knocking in more ways than one.
I’m not sure how much more I can say. I don’t want to spoil. But before I go—I have to send huge love to the writing. The words and language appear so simple and succinct. But wow! There is so much beauty, truth, and power in Ms. Reichardt’s style. Her words felt like poetry to me at times….
“I look at the steps in front of me.
They lead down to the courtyard.
The pool.
The mail boxes.
The front gate.
The world.
The top step seems close enough, but the bottom one looks like it’s a mile away.”
One step at a time. Breathe. Morgan’s story will remind all of us to breathe and keep trying.
An inspirational story with a beautiful style, strong characters, and one super adorable little brother.
Recommended.
Thank you, book! You gave me the lift I needed.
Read
April 25, 2016This is one of those books that has the ability to make you tear up in one page and grin madly in the next. I love how much this book embraces the message of living your life to the fullest. The writing is wonderful, the quirks are adorable, the romance is cute! This book has dark aspects yet perfectly matches it with light and happiness. I'd definitely recommend this one!
Read the full review @ A Perfection Called Books
I'm very choosy about contemporary reads. I tend to gravitate towards the lighter ones but whenever I do find a good book that deals with grief, loss, and tragedy, I try to take as many of the impactful lessons to heart as I can.
I really liked the characters and relationships in this book. A tragedy at school affects Morgan so deeply that she confines herself to her apartment, too frightened of the outside world to consider leaving. She struggles to recover from her PTSD, anxiety, and guilt, and we see Morgan battle her way back to her former self and life. Morgan has such a quirky personality, which I love about her. Her honesty and determination to get better make her such an admirable protagonist. I was rooting for her the whole time.
Evan, her new next-door neighbor really helps Morgan along the way to recovery. He's so understanding and sweet, and I love their dialogues. The romance was pretty cute and kept on the side. I appreciate that it didn't overshadow the plot nor did the romance resemble the "solution" to all of Morgan's problems. Besides their friendship and eventual relationship, I loved Morgan's family. Her little brother, Ben, is so adorable and inadvertently helps Morgan's progress.
Underwater is a special book for so many reasons. The writing is simply flawless. I love how the writing perfectly captures the mood of the story. The pacing is quick, and the story is absorbing from the beginning to the end. The tragedy of the story is revealed to us in small parts throughout the story, and I thought that worked really well in the novel. Morgan's character growth throughout is astounding. I loved seeing her will and progression advance. The messages in this story are well portrayed and well executed. I deeply enjoyed all this book had to offer!
I felt Underwater was a great book, yet it didn't really stand out as a favorite book. The ending was cute yet too picture-perfect. So for that reason and my simply wanting a bit more, I think I'd give this book a four out of five stars.
Read the full review @ A Perfection Called Books
I'm very choosy about contemporary reads. I tend to gravitate towards the lighter ones but whenever I do find a good book that deals with grief, loss, and tragedy, I try to take as many of the impactful lessons to heart as I can.
I really liked the characters and relationships in this book. A tragedy at school affects Morgan so deeply that she confines herself to her apartment, too frightened of the outside world to consider leaving. She struggles to recover from her PTSD, anxiety, and guilt, and we see Morgan battle her way back to her former self and life. Morgan has such a quirky personality, which I love about her. Her honesty and determination to get better make her such an admirable protagonist. I was rooting for her the whole time.
Evan, her new next-door neighbor really helps Morgan along the way to recovery. He's so understanding and sweet, and I love their dialogues. The romance was pretty cute and kept on the side. I appreciate that it didn't overshadow the plot nor did the romance resemble the "solution" to all of Morgan's problems. Besides their friendship and eventual relationship, I loved Morgan's family. Her little brother, Ben, is so adorable and inadvertently helps Morgan's progress.
Underwater is a special book for so many reasons. The writing is simply flawless. I love how the writing perfectly captures the mood of the story. The pacing is quick, and the story is absorbing from the beginning to the end. The tragedy of the story is revealed to us in small parts throughout the story, and I thought that worked really well in the novel. Morgan's character growth throughout is astounding. I loved seeing her will and progression advance. The messages in this story are well portrayed and well executed. I deeply enjoyed all this book had to offer!
I felt Underwater was a great book, yet it didn't really stand out as a favorite book. The ending was cute yet too picture-perfect. So for that reason and my simply wanting a bit more, I think I'd give this book a four out of five stars.
November 12, 2015
Marisa Reichardt's UNDERWATER is a truly lovely book. It's the story of Morgan, a teenage girl who becomes agoraphobic due to PTSD in the aftermath a school shooting, and her journey toward healing. Morgan is a wonderful character, believable and sympathetic, and she is surrounded by characters who all feel every bit as real: her mother and adorable little brother, the cute new neighbor, her wonderful therapist, and more. I especially appreciated that the adults are drawn every bit as well as the teenagers; they are all complex, imperfect people with their own problems and their own lives.
What I loved most of all, however, is that the book deals with such a horrific topic in a way that is clear, smart, and sensitive. I hate that we live in a world where books about school shootings have to exist, but since we do, I'm grateful we have one like this: a story in which kindness, compassion, and empathy are shown to be so powerful, and strength, forgiveness, and healing in the aftermath are allowed to take so many different forms.
I received an ARC of UNDERWATER for review, and I can honestly say I am very much looking forward to purchasing a copy of the published book. This one is a keeper.
What I loved most of all, however, is that the book deals with such a horrific topic in a way that is clear, smart, and sensitive. I hate that we live in a world where books about school shootings have to exist, but since we do, I'm grateful we have one like this: a story in which kindness, compassion, and empathy are shown to be so powerful, and strength, forgiveness, and healing in the aftermath are allowed to take so many different forms.
I received an ARC of UNDERWATER for review, and I can honestly say I am very much looking forward to purchasing a copy of the published book. This one is a keeper.
March 13, 2016
Underwater is the story of Morgan, a seventeen year old girl suffering from PTSD and anxiety after surviving a tragedy at her high school. All the other survivors seem to be getting their lives back together, but Morgan can’t seem to move on. She spends her days cooped up in the apartment she shares with her mum and brother until some new neighbours move in next door who might just give her the push she needs to reconnect with the outside world.
I have to say, I really loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the heart-warming ending.
The first thing that struck me about Underwater was the author’s style of writing. It’s kind of sparse with short sentences, not flowery or purple-prosey at all and the vocabulary is uncomplicated. And yet the author manages to use exactly the right word in every situation so that the reader gets a fantastic sense of place and really feels what Morgan is going through.
Considering Morgan spends the majority of the book shut away in her apartment, there are a surprising number of strands to this story. On the one hand we have the way she attempts to deal with her current situation and her fears for the future, but the story also delves into the past - both into the events of last year in her high school, and also into her childhood and her relationship with her father.
And the characters. All of them were well-written and well-rounded with plenty of dimensions and flaws and merits. I loved the relationships between them all and how they all suffered with their guilt
There is some romance in this, but it’s not overpowering. When Evan was initially introduced I offered up a silent prayer to the goddess of YA novels that the author hadn’t included him to ‘fix’ Morgan. To facilitate her recovery in a way that she wouldn’t have been able to manage by herself. He doesn’t. Instead he offers her his support and affection and allows her to grow and recover on her own terms.
Plus, he’s super hot.
I mean, obviously his hotness is irrelevant, it’s all about the personality, blah blah blah. But still. It doesn’t hurt when you’re reading a book and silently perving all over the leading guy. Adds to a book’s unputdownable factor.
Okay, so it’s now October and I’m starting to think about which books have been particularly awesome this year in preparation for my end of year review. I’ve got to say, it’s looking like this book is going to definitely make the top ten, possibly even top five. And bearing in mind this is the 143rd book I’ve read since January, that’s actually something of an accomplishment.
I received a copy of Underwater in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Macmillan Children’s Books and Netgalley.
I have to say, I really loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the heart-warming ending.
The first thing that struck me about Underwater was the author’s style of writing. It’s kind of sparse with short sentences, not flowery or purple-prosey at all and the vocabulary is uncomplicated. And yet the author manages to use exactly the right word in every situation so that the reader gets a fantastic sense of place and really feels what Morgan is going through.
Considering Morgan spends the majority of the book shut away in her apartment, there are a surprising number of strands to this story. On the one hand we have the way she attempts to deal with her current situation and her fears for the future, but the story also delves into the past - both into the events of last year in her high school, and also into her childhood and her relationship with her father.
And the characters. All of them were well-written and well-rounded with plenty of dimensions and flaws and merits. I loved the relationships between them all and how they all suffered with their guilt
There is some romance in this, but it’s not overpowering. When Evan was initially introduced I offered up a silent prayer to the goddess of YA novels that the author hadn’t included him to ‘fix’ Morgan. To facilitate her recovery in a way that she wouldn’t have been able to manage by herself. He doesn’t. Instead he offers her his support and affection and allows her to grow and recover on her own terms.
Plus, he’s super hot.
I mean, obviously his hotness is irrelevant, it’s all about the personality, blah blah blah. But still. It doesn’t hurt when you’re reading a book and silently perving all over the leading guy. Adds to a book’s unputdownable factor.
Okay, so it’s now October and I’m starting to think about which books have been particularly awesome this year in preparation for my end of year review. I’ve got to say, it’s looking like this book is going to definitely make the top ten, possibly even top five. And bearing in mind this is the 143rd book I’ve read since January, that’s actually something of an accomplishment.
I received a copy of Underwater in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Macmillan Children’s Books and Netgalley.
November 19, 2015
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me to read and review an ebook copy of Underwater by Marisa Reichardt.
Underwater is about a girl named Morgan who after a tragedy has become an agoraphobe. She feels like she is underwater and she can't move on. She does school at home online and makes grilled cheese and tomato soup every day for lunch. But when a new neighbor, Evan, moves in next door he makes her want to go out of the house and do the things that she used to.
I don't think Underwater is a perfect book, but it was a really powerful book. It deals with some pretty heavy things such as anxiety, agoraphobia, and PTSD. The writing is so beautiful, honest, and well done on these difficult subjects.
I really loved Evan and how understanding he was with Morgan. I'm not sure how realistic that is of a high school boy, but the romance was super cute. I also enjoyed seeing Morgan progress throughout the book and begin to move on. I found the plot line to be pretty predictable, but the writing is so emotional and raw that it didn't really matter that I knew what was coming.
Overall Underwater is a spectacular debut by Marisa Reichardt and I think when it is published (January 12, 2016 is the expected publication date) it will be a big hit. I can't wait to read Marisa Reichardt's next novel.
I recommend this for fans of books about mental illness, contemporary YA fans, and for anyone looking for a book that has a powerful and beautifully written story.
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2015/11...
Underwater is about a girl named Morgan who after a tragedy has become an agoraphobe. She feels like she is underwater and she can't move on. She does school at home online and makes grilled cheese and tomato soup every day for lunch. But when a new neighbor, Evan, moves in next door he makes her want to go out of the house and do the things that she used to.
I don't think Underwater is a perfect book, but it was a really powerful book. It deals with some pretty heavy things such as anxiety, agoraphobia, and PTSD. The writing is so beautiful, honest, and well done on these difficult subjects.
I really loved Evan and how understanding he was with Morgan. I'm not sure how realistic that is of a high school boy, but the romance was super cute. I also enjoyed seeing Morgan progress throughout the book and begin to move on. I found the plot line to be pretty predictable, but the writing is so emotional and raw that it didn't really matter that I knew what was coming.
Overall Underwater is a spectacular debut by Marisa Reichardt and I think when it is published (January 12, 2016 is the expected publication date) it will be a big hit. I can't wait to read Marisa Reichardt's next novel.
I recommend this for fans of books about mental illness, contemporary YA fans, and for anyone looking for a book that has a powerful and beautifully written story.
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2015/11...
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