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Orphans of the Tide #1
Orphans of the Tide
An ancient myth looms over a new friendship.
The City is the only home that Ellie has ever known. She's always been told that there is nothing to see beyond the shores of her small, salty island.
That is, until a mysterious boy washes in with the tide, trapped inside the belly of a whale.
The citizens of the City believe he's ruled by the Enemy--the legendary god who drowned the whole world--come again to cause untold chaos. Only Ellie believes that the boy is innocent.
To save him, Ellie must prove that he's not who they think he is--even if that means revealing her own dangerous secret.
The City is the only home that Ellie has ever known. She's always been told that there is nothing to see beyond the shores of her small, salty island.
That is, until a mysterious boy washes in with the tide, trapped inside the belly of a whale.
The citizens of the City believe he's ruled by the Enemy--the legendary god who drowned the whole world--come again to cause untold chaos. Only Ellie believes that the boy is innocent.
To save him, Ellie must prove that he's not who they think he is--even if that means revealing her own dangerous secret.
346 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2020
127 people are currently reading
6324 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
August 29, 2020
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
When a mysterious boy turns up in the body of a washed up whale, inventor Ellie ends up embroiled in The City's murky past. It's a past scattered with stories about murdered Gods, a lost civilization and the return of a vengeful Enemy who takes a vessel to give him power.
This was a delight to read. Fast paced, action filled, and with a wonderfully unique setting that sees our hero living in the last remaining city in an ocean filled world. It managed to invoke vivid descriptions of sealife, gruff sailors and salty sea air, which helped bring the whole story to life. It's atmospheric and evocative.
I also really liked Ellie and her relationships with Anna and Seth. She exudes warmth and kindness, while still managing to be fearless and brave. She's a true lionheart, rushing in to rescue a dying whale from a roof without a second thought, while also going through her own personal grief. She's an orphan, and her found family is Anna, Seth and to a lesser extent Finn. Anna is equally as enjoyable, often providing a lot of the comedic comments and pickpocketing her way around the city. She's a great accomplice. Seth by comparison is a quiet old soul, deeply observant, and the speaker of many annoying questions. Together they make a highly loveable group, and one I could easily root for.
In terms of plot, I did find this interesting and unique - but I wish there had been more world building and explanation behind some of the mythology we're exposed too. It was really intriguing, but a bit lacking in places. I wanted answers to how the world became so flooded, and the personalities of these mysterious old Gods. It was a missed opportunity.
Wonderful, highly immersive children's book that I really enjoyed. I hope we get more from this world, given the very open ended conclusion. There's so much more to discover and see from these characters.
When a mysterious boy turns up in the body of a washed up whale, inventor Ellie ends up embroiled in The City's murky past. It's a past scattered with stories about murdered Gods, a lost civilization and the return of a vengeful Enemy who takes a vessel to give him power.
This was a delight to read. Fast paced, action filled, and with a wonderfully unique setting that sees our hero living in the last remaining city in an ocean filled world. It managed to invoke vivid descriptions of sealife, gruff sailors and salty sea air, which helped bring the whole story to life. It's atmospheric and evocative.
I also really liked Ellie and her relationships with Anna and Seth. She exudes warmth and kindness, while still managing to be fearless and brave. She's a true lionheart, rushing in to rescue a dying whale from a roof without a second thought, while also going through her own personal grief. She's an orphan, and her found family is Anna, Seth and to a lesser extent Finn. Anna is equally as enjoyable, often providing a lot of the comedic comments and pickpocketing her way around the city. She's a great accomplice. Seth by comparison is a quiet old soul, deeply observant, and the speaker of many annoying questions. Together they make a highly loveable group, and one I could easily root for.
In terms of plot, I did find this interesting and unique - but I wish there had been more world building and explanation behind some of the mythology we're exposed too. It was really intriguing, but a bit lacking in places. I wanted answers to how the world became so flooded, and the personalities of these mysterious old Gods. It was a missed opportunity.
Wonderful, highly immersive children's book that I really enjoyed. I hope we get more from this world, given the very open ended conclusion. There's so much more to discover and see from these characters.
February 23, 2020
Orphans of the Tide is set on the last city on Earth - everywhere has been drowned by the Enemy, and for years The City has been terrified of the Enemy returning to use someone as a Vessel to bring about more destruction. When a whale is cut open and a boy falls from inside, everyone thinks he's the Enemy returned - everyone except Ellie that is, and she's determined to save him!
One of the best written children's books I've read, this story is gorgeously gothic with twists and turns that shocked me to my core. Ellie is a strong protagonist who tries to save Seth from the doom of being the potential Enemy, so the stakes are very high throughout, making this an intense read that kept me from putting the book down. I still CANNOT get over how much I loved this story! The world here is so vividly described and what a unique world it is. I can't even compare this book to anything really because it's just so highly original. The atmosphere in this is dark and suitable for anyone who loves a darker middle grade and it thrilled me completely!
A definite 5-star from me!
One of the best written children's books I've read, this story is gorgeously gothic with twists and turns that shocked me to my core. Ellie is a strong protagonist who tries to save Seth from the doom of being the potential Enemy, so the stakes are very high throughout, making this an intense read that kept me from putting the book down. I still CANNOT get over how much I loved this story! The world here is so vividly described and what a unique world it is. I can't even compare this book to anything really because it's just so highly original. The atmosphere in this is dark and suitable for anyone who loves a darker middle grade and it thrilled me completely!
A definite 5-star from me!
October 10, 2020
I'm giving this one a 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3, but only because this is a debut novel and perhaps the author deserves a chance to do better next time.
This book tried so hard to feel different, to be dark and mysterious and nonetheless it feels all too common place.
Yes, it's intriguing to find a whale beached (and I'm using beached here which is absolutely wrong because the poor animal didn't get marooned in a beach but in a roof top) and even more intriguing is that a boy comes out if it when, peppy and darkly mysterious protagonist, comes to cut the whale in half, but there's more, has to be, to a good dark story.
I can't put my finger on all the little things that I couldn't properly fit into the puzzle of this story. Again and again, what I felt while reading was as if the author (and by extension the editor and the publisher) of this book cared solely for how thing looked and little for what the could mean.
No entirely awful, but certainly not for me.
This book tried so hard to feel different, to be dark and mysterious and nonetheless it feels all too common place.
Yes, it's intriguing to find a whale beached (and I'm using beached here which is absolutely wrong because the poor animal didn't get marooned in a beach but in a roof top) and even more intriguing is that a boy comes out if it when, peppy and darkly mysterious protagonist, comes to cut the whale in half, but there's more, has to be, to a good dark story.
I can't put my finger on all the little things that I couldn't properly fit into the puzzle of this story. Again and again, what I felt while reading was as if the author (and by extension the editor and the publisher) of this book cared solely for how thing looked and little for what the could mean.
No entirely awful, but certainly not for me.
April 22, 2021
This is the first instalment in the Orphans of the Tide series.
Ellie is an orphaned inventor who struggles everyday to assert herself everyday as someone as good at her craft as her mother was and as a fearsome trader you don't want to double-cross. These woes take a backseat when a small boy enters the city and is branded an Enemy and an individual who could cause the destruction of its inhabitants. Ellie is determined to save him from the fate of capture and deportation (or worse!), and won't even truly admit to herself just why she is so set on protecting him, even when faced with the trouble she sends her own way in the process.
I have long ago stopped being surprised by how inventive the story-lines of middle-grade novels are, but this one did surprise me in both how authentic its characters felt and in the dark places they took the reader. The novel opened with the protagonist carving open the washed-up corpse of a whale and a little boy emerging from its belly. As an adult reader, this shocked me!
The children who centred here also reacted in what felt like a very realistic fashion, despite still also maintaining the attributes of mischievousness and bravery that many MG fantasy characters also obtain. I adored traversing the city's streets and getting in and out of multiple spots of bother, at break-neck speed, along with them.
The characters stole my heart and the plot occupied my brain, so what is not to love here?
Ellie is an orphaned inventor who struggles everyday to assert herself everyday as someone as good at her craft as her mother was and as a fearsome trader you don't want to double-cross. These woes take a backseat when a small boy enters the city and is branded an Enemy and an individual who could cause the destruction of its inhabitants. Ellie is determined to save him from the fate of capture and deportation (or worse!), and won't even truly admit to herself just why she is so set on protecting him, even when faced with the trouble she sends her own way in the process.
I have long ago stopped being surprised by how inventive the story-lines of middle-grade novels are, but this one did surprise me in both how authentic its characters felt and in the dark places they took the reader. The novel opened with the protagonist carving open the washed-up corpse of a whale and a little boy emerging from its belly. As an adult reader, this shocked me!
The children who centred here also reacted in what felt like a very realistic fashion, despite still also maintaining the attributes of mischievousness and bravery that many MG fantasy characters also obtain. I adored traversing the city's streets and getting in and out of multiple spots of bother, at break-neck speed, along with them.
The characters stole my heart and the plot occupied my brain, so what is not to love here?
April 9, 2021
I can’t believe this was a debut! The writing is incredible. I really loved this. I read the last 75% in 1 sitting! I had to know what was going to happen next. I couldn’t put it down! The last City was built on a sharp mountain that jutted from the sea, & the sea keeps trying to take it back. 1 gray morning when the tide retreats, a whale was found on a rooftop. When a mysterious boy washes in w/the tide & whale, the citizens believe he's the Enemy - the god who drowned the world - come again to cause untold chaos. Only Ellie, a fearless young inventor living in a workshop crammed with curiosities, believes he's innocent. But the enemy can take possession of any human, & the ruthless Inquisition are determined to destroy it forever. To save the boy, Ellie must prove who he really is - even if that means revealing her own dangerous secret. This is a dark gothic like read, & such a beautifully written clever story. The characters are so lovable..Ellie, Anna, & Seth are amazing. Very strong friendship dynamics. Seth has my heart. Ellie is also such a great MC. I loved all of her little inventions & tinkering lol The stakes are so high throughout the book, it makes it all the more fast-paced & intense. Loved the backstory of the City & the Enemy..gave me classic mythology like vibes. So good! Such an original, creative, vividly described story that flows so well. The twists had me speechless! I absolutely loved this, & can’t wait to start the 2nd book tonight. So impressed! Another beautiful cover by the amazing Manuel Šumberac too!💜
November 2, 2025
What a unique and fun middle grade. The setting of this last city set on a mountain in the sea helped set the gothic and dark mood for this story. When a whale washes up on a rooftop and a boy comes out, most people are convinced he is the enemy god come to drown the rest of the world. Ellie doesn't think that way and does her best to protect him. There are strong friendship themes in this fantastical novel. I was left with some questions but as it is the first in a series that makes sense. Not a new favorite, but very creative and fun. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
January 24, 2021
An awesome middle grade adventure with some fantastic twists and turns and some really surprising hard hitting topics! I really enjoyed it! 💙
November 11, 2021
¿Hola? ¿Pero por qué no hay MÁS GENTE HABLANDO DE ESTA MARAVILLA DE LIBRO?
Hacía mucho tiempo que no me topaba con un middle grade tan genial, con un worldbuilding así de interesante, y una trama tan emocionante: misterio, acción, secretos y peligro, con tres jóvenes protagonistas muy avispados y capaces, ha sido una lectura deliciosa y sorprendente, y ¡ojalá que publiquen pronto la secuela!
Hacía mucho tiempo que no me topaba con un middle grade tan genial, con un worldbuilding así de interesante, y una trama tan emocionante: misterio, acción, secretos y peligro, con tres jóvenes protagonistas muy avispados y capaces, ha sido una lectura deliciosa y sorprendente, y ¡ojalá que publiquen pronto la secuela!
November 29, 2021
Desde que el mundo se inundó, solamente queda La Ciudad, el último refugio, donde gobiernan los señores de las ballenas, y la Inquisición controla a la población, cuidando de que no vuelva El Enemigo, siempre en busca de un cuerpo que poseer para regresar y destruirlos a todos. En ese mundo vive Ellie, una joven inventora, siempre rodeada de extraños objetos, y en cuyas manos está el poder de salvarlos a todos. Cuando la marea trae a un misterioso chico, todos creen que se trata de la reencarnación del Enemigo, y solamente Ellie defiende su inocencia. Así, juntos, huirán de la Inquisición mientras intentan descubrir quién es él, y lo que eso puede significar para Ellie, y para todos los demás.
No sé por qué no hay más gente hablando de este libro, porque ha resultado una fantasía de principio a fin, y me ha dejado con la boca abierta. De verdad. Y, no, si ya lo habíais descartado porque pensáis que sois demasiado mayores para una novela más juvenil... ¡no! Tenéis que lanzaros a la piscina.
El worldbuilding, con su mundo inundado, el toque steampunk, la organización de la sociedad, y una trama así de emocionante, llena de acción, aventuras, y tantísimo misterio... No he podido separarme de esta novela desde que la abrí, por los secretos, por el peligro al que se enfrentan Ellie y Seth, y lo estupenda que es también Anna, la mejor amiga de Ellie, y la única capaz de poner orden entre tanta aventura descabellada y plan sinsentido.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
No sé por qué no hay más gente hablando de este libro, porque ha resultado una fantasía de principio a fin, y me ha dejado con la boca abierta. De verdad. Y, no, si ya lo habíais descartado porque pensáis que sois demasiado mayores para una novela más juvenil... ¡no! Tenéis que lanzaros a la piscina.
El worldbuilding, con su mundo inundado, el toque steampunk, la organización de la sociedad, y una trama así de emocionante, llena de acción, aventuras, y tantísimo misterio... No he podido separarme de esta novela desde que la abrí, por los secretos, por el peligro al que se enfrentan Ellie y Seth, y lo estupenda que es también Anna, la mejor amiga de Ellie, y la única capaz de poner orden entre tanta aventura descabellada y plan sinsentido.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
December 3, 2020
Quite possibly... the best children’s book I’ve read in five years?!? Or longer? To be perfectly honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been so successfully gripped by a novel of any kind. And ‘Orphans’ really did carry me away — to an utterly brilliant world that I just want to know more and more about. It reminded me of a blend of ‘His Dark Materials’ and ‘The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray’, with some Tim Lebbon body horror flung in for good measure.
The setting is so evocative! Genuinely, I was properly sucked up by it! Sure, it hasn’t the verisimilitude of a fully realised “adult” work. There is silliness and liveliness here that balances perfectly with some of the darker (oh yes, they get dark!) aspects.
I really loved the characters. Not just a few of them. All of them! Even some of the minor ones are well realised. And everything just works so perfectly within this setting.
Feel like I could wax lyrical about this for ever. But I’ll stop. Because, to some extent, this is best come to without prior knowledge of the story.
Compared to sooo much other “fantasy” writing (especially that aimed at younger readers), ‘Orphans of the Tide’ is equally fresh and thrilling. I’d recommend it to everyone, but particularly anyone who adores HDMs.
Cannot wait for the sequel
The setting is so evocative! Genuinely, I was properly sucked up by it! Sure, it hasn’t the verisimilitude of a fully realised “adult” work. There is silliness and liveliness here that balances perfectly with some of the darker (oh yes, they get dark!) aspects.
I really loved the characters. Not just a few of them. All of them! Even some of the minor ones are well realised. And everything just works so perfectly within this setting.
Feel like I could wax lyrical about this for ever. But I’ll stop. Because, to some extent, this is best come to without prior knowledge of the story.
Compared to sooo much other “fantasy” writing (especially that aimed at younger readers), ‘Orphans of the Tide’ is equally fresh and thrilling. I’d recommend it to everyone, but particularly anyone who adores HDMs.
Cannot wait for the sequel
February 16, 2020
A beautifully crafted story, filled with warm, and loveable characters, amazing friendships and a pacy, clever plot that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. A triumph.
June 1, 2025
4.5⭐️
Brilliant! The writing and pacing is so compelling!! Unexpectedly dark for a middle grade/ya book🤧
The last 1/4 had me SO tense, flipping through the pages like a hurricane. Almost burst into tears as I was reading the end too😩
Brilliant! The writing and pacing is so compelling!! Unexpectedly dark for a middle grade/ya book🤧
The last 1/4 had me SO tense, flipping through the pages like a hurricane. Almost burst into tears as I was reading the end too😩
December 21, 2019
JUST BRILLIANT. I loved this. Twists and turns that made my jaw HIT THE FLOOR. The characters and the world and the way it’s all set up: just EXCEPTIONAL! This is going to be a TOTAL HIT next year!
June 27, 2025
Ellie was a young maiden who had experienced many tragedies in her life including saving a boy from the belly of a whale!This book is full of of thrilling tales and close calls from death. The whole time they’re trying to fight the dark one and finally restore peace to the island.This book will keep you reading with suspense and anticipation of what happens next. Will Ellie and her friends survive the wrath of the dark ones?Or will they perish and let the next vessel be chosen?? When the vessel along is someone very close indeed! (AKA ELLIE)
🪻ZOE🪻
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!!!!!!
🪻ZOE🪻
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2023
Loved it!!⭐️Acțiunea a fost puțin previzibilă,însă povestea a fost una care merită transmisă mai departe.4/5 ⭐️,deoarece pe parcursul lecturării am simțit că ar fi putut fi mult mai bine gândite acțiunile personajelor.
May 27, 2024
Ok, I haven’t read a good book in a while, so this was great! I started reading it last night at like 12:30, and finished it at 4 (am) 😅
Better review to come!
Better review to come!
December 28, 2021
I chose this cos it was MG and once in a while I try one of those. But to be honest, what made this MG and not YA? I have no idea. The age of the character? I fear I must have missed it cos I had no age for her. She could have been 12, she could have been 20. She lived alone, worked as an inventor/fixing things. She had left the orphanage. Her best friend seemed to work there. Yes I saw her more as 18. But my bad for not hearing it.
So, for me listening it never had any sort of MG feel to it.
A world with only one city left standing. The gods drowned, the world drowned. The enemy comes and takes over humans and burst out and causes mayhem. Priests rule, whale lords rule. The sea gives and takes. Fear is always near, when will the Enemy return?
And a boy is washed ashore in a whale. WITCH HUNT BEGINS
Ugh those inquisitors, like maybe talk to someone before you burn him at the stake!`
Ellie and Seth makes a good team...eventually. Hiding, running, trying to figure who he is, and what the enemy is.
I am intrigued about the background, how the world drowned, how the gods did, but maybe in future books.
I liked it, I guess what made it more MG than YA is "nicer" and not violent. Oh who knows. It would work for any age group.
Good narration. Since I did not know ages, it all worked out. She left it rather open too
So, for me listening it never had any sort of MG feel to it.
A world with only one city left standing. The gods drowned, the world drowned. The enemy comes and takes over humans and burst out and causes mayhem. Priests rule, whale lords rule. The sea gives and takes. Fear is always near, when will the Enemy return?
And a boy is washed ashore in a whale. WITCH HUNT BEGINS
Ugh those inquisitors, like maybe talk to someone before you burn him at the stake!`
Ellie and Seth makes a good team...eventually. Hiding, running, trying to figure who he is, and what the enemy is.
I am intrigued about the background, how the world drowned, how the gods did, but maybe in future books.
I liked it, I guess what made it more MG than YA is "nicer" and not violent. Oh who knows. It would work for any age group.
Good narration. Since I did not know ages, it all worked out. She left it rather open too
May 15, 2021
More like a 4.5, but I'm rounding up because it's the authors debut. How does someone just start writing and then write something this good straight away? I'm jealous.
Interesting premise. A book that is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
It's a middle-grade novel, supposedly aimed at children from the age of 9 upwards, but I'd say the sweet spot to read this would be age 12, in my opinion (although I have just thoroughly enjoyed it myself at age 20). It's got... not exactly gore, but definite mentions of blood and guts in places.
This book has it's own map of The City, which I loved but honestly didn't use all that often. The book carried itself perfectly without needing a map, but the map was definitely a nice touch.
The story is that in this world, there were a lot of (presumably cocky) gods who decided to drown the world of people entirely, but there was an Enemy god among them (think Loki) who actually tricked them all into drowning themselves, too. So now the world is left with no gods except The Enemy, and a whole lot of seawater.
The City is a mishmash of the last surviving people, living on a jagged mountain that just about made it through the flood. But they all live in perpetual fear of The Enemy, who still very much exists and wishes to cause havoc.
The Enemy is a kind of parasite who grows within the mind of a Vessel, which is a human he can communicate and interact with, until he becomes powerful enough to shed the human's body and take on his true and terrible form. So as you can imagine, this does cause quite a lot of commotion for the inhabitants of The City, because they're constantly on the lookout for the next Vessel so they can kill it in human form, before The Enemy has time to become powerful.
So when a whale washes up on top of a church and a boy crawls out from its belly, you can imagine how the already-and-always-terrified town reacts.
Ellie is also at the scene when this boy is discovered. She's convinced he's not the Vessel, and that they're about to kill an innocent boy as a mistake. She just needs to work out how she, 13 years old and extremely disorganised, can save this boy and work out who he really is, instead.
I loved Ellie as the main character of this novel. She's messy, brilliant and bad-tempered at times, and I just think that's such an accurate kind of character - it warms my heart. Her best friend Anna steals the show quite a bit - she's every bit as complex and desperately important to the storyline, and never comes across as a side-kick, not really. I liked the friendships and the way the characters interact - sometimes, they're really arguing and they're all making mistakes and they're all just so human and intensely likeable.
Another thing I like about this book is the attention to detail. The City became such a real place for me while I was reading, and small, seemingly insignificant details mentioned early on in the story came back round and played their part later. I love it when an author leaves a trail like that, like they're laying out individual parts and pieces down and by the end of the book you have a whole completed jigsaw puzzle, so to speak.
Maybe it was because we've hardly had internet for the last two days, but I genuinely think it was down to some very skillful writing: I got completely lost in this book, like I haven't been able to in a long time. Since March last year my concentration span has gone out the window but this book demanded my attention and kept me guessing. I really, really liked this story.
Reason it's actually 4.5? It's a bit wordy in places. The descriptions made it slow going to get into the beginning of the book. But that's honestly such a minor issue, I'm not even complaining.
Also, can we talk about this BEAUTIFUL cover art?! I can't stop looking at it.
Interesting premise. A book that is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
It's a middle-grade novel, supposedly aimed at children from the age of 9 upwards, but I'd say the sweet spot to read this would be age 12, in my opinion (although I have just thoroughly enjoyed it myself at age 20). It's got... not exactly gore, but definite mentions of blood and guts in places.
This book has it's own map of The City, which I loved but honestly didn't use all that often. The book carried itself perfectly without needing a map, but the map was definitely a nice touch.
The story is that in this world, there were a lot of (presumably cocky) gods who decided to drown the world of people entirely, but there was an Enemy god among them (think Loki) who actually tricked them all into drowning themselves, too. So now the world is left with no gods except The Enemy, and a whole lot of seawater.
The City is a mishmash of the last surviving people, living on a jagged mountain that just about made it through the flood. But they all live in perpetual fear of The Enemy, who still very much exists and wishes to cause havoc.
The Enemy is a kind of parasite who grows within the mind of a Vessel, which is a human he can communicate and interact with, until he becomes powerful enough to shed the human's body and take on his true and terrible form. So as you can imagine, this does cause quite a lot of commotion for the inhabitants of The City, because they're constantly on the lookout for the next Vessel so they can kill it in human form, before The Enemy has time to become powerful.
So when a whale washes up on top of a church and a boy crawls out from its belly, you can imagine how the already-and-always-terrified town reacts.
Ellie is also at the scene when this boy is discovered. She's convinced he's not the Vessel, and that they're about to kill an innocent boy as a mistake. She just needs to work out how she, 13 years old and extremely disorganised, can save this boy and work out who he really is, instead.
I loved Ellie as the main character of this novel. She's messy, brilliant and bad-tempered at times, and I just think that's such an accurate kind of character - it warms my heart. Her best friend Anna steals the show quite a bit - she's every bit as complex and desperately important to the storyline, and never comes across as a side-kick, not really. I liked the friendships and the way the characters interact - sometimes, they're really arguing and they're all making mistakes and they're all just so human and intensely likeable.
Another thing I like about this book is the attention to detail. The City became such a real place for me while I was reading, and small, seemingly insignificant details mentioned early on in the story came back round and played their part later. I love it when an author leaves a trail like that, like they're laying out individual parts and pieces down and by the end of the book you have a whole completed jigsaw puzzle, so to speak.
Maybe it was because we've hardly had internet for the last two days, but I genuinely think it was down to some very skillful writing: I got completely lost in this book, like I haven't been able to in a long time. Since March last year my concentration span has gone out the window but this book demanded my attention and kept me guessing. I really, really liked this story.
Reason it's actually 4.5? It's a bit wordy in places. The descriptions made it slow going to get into the beginning of the book. But that's honestly such a minor issue, I'm not even complaining.
Also, can we talk about this BEAUTIFUL cover art?! I can't stop looking at it.
September 6, 2020
Orphans of the Tide is one of the best books I have read in 2020. Myth, legend and dark truths combine in this thrilling tale.
Orphan Ellie Lancaster lives in the City, the only remaining one that remains after the Great Drowning. She makes a living by fixing all manner of intricate and wonderful things in a workshop that used to belong to her mother. When a whale washes up on the shore and a boy crawls out the City inhabitants come to the only logical conclusion, he is a deadly force that has not walked the City for 23 years. The Vessel, the life form of the dreaded Enemy has returned and must be destroyed before it can cause devastation and destruction.
Unlike everyone else, Ellie is convinced that the boy, Seth, knows nothing of the Enemy and is innocent and so begins a race against time to clear his name. The journey that will take her to all corners of the city but no amount of running will stop the dangerous Inquisitors hunting Seth down. To clear Seth’s name Ellie may have to reveal her own dark secret. In saving Seth she will be forced to condemn herself…
This is a thrilling fantasy adventure around cobbled streets, abandoned buildings, up tall spires, through dank sewers and amongst the docks of the City surrounded by the sea. The cat-and-mouse chase sees twists and turns and bombshell revelations. The story starts at pace and never lets up. From the opening page to the last, not a word is wasted.
There is so much to appreciate in the narrative. Murray has created a brilliantly dark and original world. A City living in fear and shrouded in suspicions and secrets. Frightening Inquisitors who keep the people safe and watch over the city and are hellbent on finding Seth and killing him. Orphaned children fighting for justice. A bombshell revelation half-way through that will leave jaws-dropped. Alongside the narrative are extracts from the diary of the previous Vessel, Claude Hestermeyer. The diary extracts are cleverly woven into the narrative as the children use the diary as their own guide to understanding the Vessel and the Enemy. The diary extracts reveal a dark and chilling tale about the fates that befell Hestermeyer.
The characters are deep and complex. Ellie and Anna are both determined, strong-minded, strong-willed and courageous female protagonists. Ellie is dealing with grief and guilt. The grief and guilt at not being able to protect her brother and keep him alive manifests itself in her young, bold and often foolish nature. The death of her brother is her motivation for wanting to help Seth and keep him safe and her ability to solve problems and fix things is constantly called upon. The bond of friendship between Anna and Ellie is strong, and Seth quickly becomes part of the group, despite Anna’s reservations. The three characters are fiercely protective of each other, they look out for each other and stand up for what they believe in. I love a good villain, and Killian Hargrath is dark, spine-chilling and one to be feared.
The map and illustrations by Manuel Šumberac are dark, delicious and provide a beautiful visualisation of Murray’s imaginings.
It is enthralling and captivating, and the adventure doesn’t stop here, Orphans of the Tide: Shipwreck Island is due for publication in March 2021. I for one, can not wait.
Recommended for 9+.
Orphan Ellie Lancaster lives in the City, the only remaining one that remains after the Great Drowning. She makes a living by fixing all manner of intricate and wonderful things in a workshop that used to belong to her mother. When a whale washes up on the shore and a boy crawls out the City inhabitants come to the only logical conclusion, he is a deadly force that has not walked the City for 23 years. The Vessel, the life form of the dreaded Enemy has returned and must be destroyed before it can cause devastation and destruction.
Unlike everyone else, Ellie is convinced that the boy, Seth, knows nothing of the Enemy and is innocent and so begins a race against time to clear his name. The journey that will take her to all corners of the city but no amount of running will stop the dangerous Inquisitors hunting Seth down. To clear Seth’s name Ellie may have to reveal her own dark secret. In saving Seth she will be forced to condemn herself…
This is a thrilling fantasy adventure around cobbled streets, abandoned buildings, up tall spires, through dank sewers and amongst the docks of the City surrounded by the sea. The cat-and-mouse chase sees twists and turns and bombshell revelations. The story starts at pace and never lets up. From the opening page to the last, not a word is wasted.
There is so much to appreciate in the narrative. Murray has created a brilliantly dark and original world. A City living in fear and shrouded in suspicions and secrets. Frightening Inquisitors who keep the people safe and watch over the city and are hellbent on finding Seth and killing him. Orphaned children fighting for justice. A bombshell revelation half-way through that will leave jaws-dropped. Alongside the narrative are extracts from the diary of the previous Vessel, Claude Hestermeyer. The diary extracts are cleverly woven into the narrative as the children use the diary as their own guide to understanding the Vessel and the Enemy. The diary extracts reveal a dark and chilling tale about the fates that befell Hestermeyer.
The characters are deep and complex. Ellie and Anna are both determined, strong-minded, strong-willed and courageous female protagonists. Ellie is dealing with grief and guilt. The grief and guilt at not being able to protect her brother and keep him alive manifests itself in her young, bold and often foolish nature. The death of her brother is her motivation for wanting to help Seth and keep him safe and her ability to solve problems and fix things is constantly called upon. The bond of friendship between Anna and Ellie is strong, and Seth quickly becomes part of the group, despite Anna’s reservations. The three characters are fiercely protective of each other, they look out for each other and stand up for what they believe in. I love a good villain, and Killian Hargrath is dark, spine-chilling and one to be feared.
The map and illustrations by Manuel Šumberac are dark, delicious and provide a beautiful visualisation of Murray’s imaginings.
It is enthralling and captivating, and the adventure doesn’t stop here, Orphans of the Tide: Shipwreck Island is due for publication in March 2021. I for one, can not wait.
Recommended for 9+.
December 29, 2019
Original and enticing, this is one of the best fantasy stories I have read for a long time. There’s a mix of peril and intrigue in all the right proportions, a strong female lead and a well-constructed fantasy world with its own haunting mythology that really does immerse the reader from the start.
Ellie Lancaster is a feisty young inventor who lives in the last city to survive in a world that has been almost entirely drowned by a fear-inducing god known as the Enemy. The city sits upon a steep mountain that juts out above sea level, and one day washed up on one of its rooftops appears a whale, out of which emerges a mysterious boy whose origins are unknown. It doesn’t take long for rumours to accrue - rumours that suggest the boy is the Enemy himself returning to the city to cause destruction. Only Ellie seems convinced of his innocence and when the boy is caught and sentenced to death by the city's Inquisitors, Ellie finds herself on a whirlwind of an adventure to keep the boy from being wrongly harmed.
The story is full of edge-of-your-seat danger and has its fair share of scary parts while also tenderly exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and grief. The twists and turns in the plot are delightful, with secrets, surprises and delicious ‘penny drop’ moments that kept me turning pages late into the night.
There’s already a buzz around Orphans of the Tide and it’s easy to see it finding a lot of fans in the coming year, especially readers who have enjoyed Philip Pullman, Suzanne Collins and Vashti Hardy. For me, it’s a gripping middle-grade fantasy that ticks all the right boxes as a simply exceptional read.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced proof copy.
Ellie Lancaster is a feisty young inventor who lives in the last city to survive in a world that has been almost entirely drowned by a fear-inducing god known as the Enemy. The city sits upon a steep mountain that juts out above sea level, and one day washed up on one of its rooftops appears a whale, out of which emerges a mysterious boy whose origins are unknown. It doesn’t take long for rumours to accrue - rumours that suggest the boy is the Enemy himself returning to the city to cause destruction. Only Ellie seems convinced of his innocence and when the boy is caught and sentenced to death by the city's Inquisitors, Ellie finds herself on a whirlwind of an adventure to keep the boy from being wrongly harmed.
The story is full of edge-of-your-seat danger and has its fair share of scary parts while also tenderly exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and grief. The twists and turns in the plot are delightful, with secrets, surprises and delicious ‘penny drop’ moments that kept me turning pages late into the night.
There’s already a buzz around Orphans of the Tide and it’s easy to see it finding a lot of fans in the coming year, especially readers who have enjoyed Philip Pullman, Suzanne Collins and Vashti Hardy. For me, it’s a gripping middle-grade fantasy that ticks all the right boxes as a simply exceptional read.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced proof copy.
July 29, 2025
I want everyone to give a round of applause to Struan Murray for producing this book as it is genuinely incredible. The fact that this is a children's novel is insane, as it really transcends the age barrier and is a great read for people of all ages. The fact that it is a debut is even wilder.
I read a comment that said that this book "tries to be original" and all I have in response is "tries and succeeds." The story is unlike anything I have ever read. Starting a story off with a whale washed up on a roof and people freaking out over 'the enemy' instead of the actual whale makes you immediately intrigued. How did the whale get up there? Who / what is the enemy? Who is this girl with no fear who makes her way over to the whale and has her foot grasped by a human hand, INSIDE OF THE WHALE?
The first few chapters had me grinning as I knew this book would be an adventure, and boy oh boy I wasn't wrong.
What I really liked was the fact that the book doesn't shy away from Ellie being the vessel, often having moments that the dynamic between her and Finn is obvious. It wasn't explicitly said until much later on, but Struan Murray doesn't try and mysteriously conceal it, which I am always a fan of as it doesn't try and be too cleaver to 'outsmart' the audience. It is something Ellie has lived with the last three years and as we see the story in her eyes, we also live with the enemy.
However, that doesn't make the reveal any less impactful. Ellie revealing herself to Seth and Anna are really powerful moments. Seth was the perfect person for Ellie to relate to, as no one understands being chased down and wanted dead more than him. And, he is the embodiment of different, he is not like anyone from their world. So for Ellie to have kept this monster in her chest hidden away, she must have felt like the lonest person in the world, until she had him.
Then Anna is her best friend. If anyone would love her more than they hated the enemy, it would be her. Their friendship throughout is so well done, as they are both hot heads who constantly clash to the point you are almost fearful that Anna might expose Seth or even Ellie. But under all of that, they know each other better than anyone and care for each other more than anything. Anna's love for Ellie is the reason that Ellie had the strength to fight against the enemy, as she was her one tether to humanity.
Ellie's anxiety became my own as I started to wonder how the other characters would react, would they expose her to the Inquisitors? But when they both found out, their reactions were the embodiment of what their characters represent, and I don't know why I was so nervous to start with.
This book wouldn't have worked if they were adults. If they were adults, Seth and Anna could have been turned out like Hargarth and Castion. Castion loved Ellie but he knew his duty more, he would rather have her dead instead of trying to save her. Hargarth is a character filled with anger, but mainly fear to the point he comes across as cruel. He has suffered a lot as a character and he truly believes the vessel must be killed in order to gain peace. He does not care that Ellie is a child, he just cares she is a threat.
But Seth and Anna love Ellie. They have the child-like positivity that they can do the impossible that no one before them has done. They think outside of the box and come up with methods to help save their friend instead of condemn her. This trio is so well done and I am devastated that Anna decided to stay behind, even if I understand her reasoning.
'Finn' was constantly a scene stealer. The first time we meet him, I was trying to work out what their relationship was and only when we read Claude's diary do the pieces fall together. Their relationship throughout is so harrowing. He constantly pretends to love her to make her walls come down or he attacks her where she is most vulnerable. The enemy feeds off her insecurity and guilt and he is somehow one of the most uncomfortable villains I have ever read.
The defilement of Finn's character by his subtle visual changes and the abuse he hurls at Ellie makes the scene where she remembers her actual brother even more sweeter. Just the confirmation that he had green eyes had her confidence return and remind her the love she had for her little brother. The memory / dream / vision she has with her brother on the boat was so beautifully done and it was the perfect way for Ellie to realise that her brother would never resent her. It was the forgiveness she needed that the enemy kept holding over her head. The execution of this scene is brilliant and one of the main reasons this book is five stars.
The diary entries made me so stressed. I thought they would be a break in all the action, but turns out they were just as anxiety inducing. I would love to read a book based on Claude's time as the vessel as every reveal of what happened in his time was genuinely horrific. The enemy seemed less emotionally manipulating than it was with Ellie. 'Peter' didn't hide who it was, making it known very early on the consequences of it's wishes. But it isolated Claude and made it so that he had no one to turn to and that Peter was the only one who loved him. The snippets we got of the final battle between Castion, Hargarth and the enemy sound so intense. Mr Struan Murray, please write this, I will fund it.
I'm beyond grateful that this book is part of a trilogy as there is still so much to explore. The reveal that the world isn't just this city but the Inquisitors have been hiding that there are other islands was a major plot twist. Why are they hiding it? What are on those lands?
Also Seth being a God?! I need more information regarding him and his past stat. The enemy still being inside Ellie but being made weaker, how do we get rid of it? How do our heroes win against this entity?
So many questions that I will need answers to!
Thank you for making such an insanely fun world and amazing characters. I will be continuing Ellie, Seth and Anna's adventure! (Anna has to come back, I live in denial that they won't see each again in this series.)
I read a comment that said that this book "tries to be original" and all I have in response is "tries and succeeds." The story is unlike anything I have ever read. Starting a story off with a whale washed up on a roof and people freaking out over 'the enemy' instead of the actual whale makes you immediately intrigued. How did the whale get up there? Who / what is the enemy? Who is this girl with no fear who makes her way over to the whale and has her foot grasped by a human hand, INSIDE OF THE WHALE?
The first few chapters had me grinning as I knew this book would be an adventure, and boy oh boy I wasn't wrong.
What I really liked was the fact that the book doesn't shy away from Ellie being the vessel, often having moments that the dynamic between her and Finn is obvious. It wasn't explicitly said until much later on, but Struan Murray doesn't try and mysteriously conceal it, which I am always a fan of as it doesn't try and be too cleaver to 'outsmart' the audience. It is something Ellie has lived with the last three years and as we see the story in her eyes, we also live with the enemy.
However, that doesn't make the reveal any less impactful. Ellie revealing herself to Seth and Anna are really powerful moments. Seth was the perfect person for Ellie to relate to, as no one understands being chased down and wanted dead more than him. And, he is the embodiment of different, he is not like anyone from their world. So for Ellie to have kept this monster in her chest hidden away, she must have felt like the lonest person in the world, until she had him.
Then Anna is her best friend. If anyone would love her more than they hated the enemy, it would be her. Their friendship throughout is so well done, as they are both hot heads who constantly clash to the point you are almost fearful that Anna might expose Seth or even Ellie. But under all of that, they know each other better than anyone and care for each other more than anything. Anna's love for Ellie is the reason that Ellie had the strength to fight against the enemy, as she was her one tether to humanity.
Ellie's anxiety became my own as I started to wonder how the other characters would react, would they expose her to the Inquisitors? But when they both found out, their reactions were the embodiment of what their characters represent, and I don't know why I was so nervous to start with.
This book wouldn't have worked if they were adults. If they were adults, Seth and Anna could have been turned out like Hargarth and Castion. Castion loved Ellie but he knew his duty more, he would rather have her dead instead of trying to save her. Hargarth is a character filled with anger, but mainly fear to the point he comes across as cruel. He has suffered a lot as a character and he truly believes the vessel must be killed in order to gain peace. He does not care that Ellie is a child, he just cares she is a threat.
But Seth and Anna love Ellie. They have the child-like positivity that they can do the impossible that no one before them has done. They think outside of the box and come up with methods to help save their friend instead of condemn her. This trio is so well done and I am devastated that Anna decided to stay behind, even if I understand her reasoning.
'Finn' was constantly a scene stealer. The first time we meet him, I was trying to work out what their relationship was and only when we read Claude's diary do the pieces fall together. Their relationship throughout is so harrowing. He constantly pretends to love her to make her walls come down or he attacks her where she is most vulnerable. The enemy feeds off her insecurity and guilt and he is somehow one of the most uncomfortable villains I have ever read.
The defilement of Finn's character by his subtle visual changes and the abuse he hurls at Ellie makes the scene where she remembers her actual brother even more sweeter. Just the confirmation that he had green eyes had her confidence return and remind her the love she had for her little brother. The memory / dream / vision she has with her brother on the boat was so beautifully done and it was the perfect way for Ellie to realise that her brother would never resent her. It was the forgiveness she needed that the enemy kept holding over her head. The execution of this scene is brilliant and one of the main reasons this book is five stars.
The diary entries made me so stressed. I thought they would be a break in all the action, but turns out they were just as anxiety inducing. I would love to read a book based on Claude's time as the vessel as every reveal of what happened in his time was genuinely horrific. The enemy seemed less emotionally manipulating than it was with Ellie. 'Peter' didn't hide who it was, making it known very early on the consequences of it's wishes. But it isolated Claude and made it so that he had no one to turn to and that Peter was the only one who loved him. The snippets we got of the final battle between Castion, Hargarth and the enemy sound so intense. Mr Struan Murray, please write this, I will fund it.
I'm beyond grateful that this book is part of a trilogy as there is still so much to explore. The reveal that the world isn't just this city but the Inquisitors have been hiding that there are other islands was a major plot twist. Why are they hiding it? What are on those lands?
Also Seth being a God?! I need more information regarding him and his past stat. The enemy still being inside Ellie but being made weaker, how do we get rid of it? How do our heroes win against this entity?
So many questions that I will need answers to!
Thank you for making such an insanely fun world and amazing characters. I will be continuing Ellie, Seth and Anna's adventure! (Anna has to come back, I live in denial that they won't see each again in this series.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2021
Orphans of the Tide follows Ellie, a girl who extracts a boy from a whale one day. The city soon deems this boy, Seth to be The Vessel aka the host of The Enemy sent to bring chaos to the city. This book was okay. It was a little predictable, but that could be because I'm not the intended audience. Perhaps middle graders won't find the twist so easy to uncover. More than that I found the children to be not very distinct except for maybe Ellie who said "shut up" more than I would have ever been allowed to as a child, but I guess that's because she's an orphan. I thought the journals were probably the most interesting part of the story, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this or not, but thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
July 15, 2025
4.5 stars
the tragedy present in this narrative............................
there are probably a couple small nitpicks I could make about this book. they just truly, absolutely, completely do not matter in the face of All Of It. struan murray you understand far too much. even in ways you probably didn't intend. what the hell
if it wasn't already desperately obvious, this book makes me want to kill myself. here's my playlist!
the entire enemy concept is also horrifying. thanks
the tragedy present in this narrative............................
there are probably a couple small nitpicks I could make about this book. they just truly, absolutely, completely do not matter in the face of All Of It. struan murray you understand far too much. even in ways you probably didn't intend. what the hell
if it wasn't already desperately obvious, this book makes me want to kill myself. here's my playlist!
the entire enemy concept is also horrifying. thanks
July 13, 2021
I was hooked in to the story immediately. It reminded me of Philip Pullman’s Norther Lights trilogy or The Knife of Never letting go by Patrick Ness. But it was too long winded. My concentration started to fail and I found myself wishing for the end. However, I appreciate I’m not the target audience, so maybe older children will enjoy it more than I did.
March 15, 2020
This story is well-plotted, pacy and has interesting characters, but I found it as wet, dreary and pessimistic as a rainy Sunday in Oldham. I did read it to the end and did have some empathy with the characters, but oh for some levity!
Or is it just me?
Or is it just me?
August 1, 2020
There would some good and exciting bits but very very slow start and over complicated in places I thought.
August 30, 2020
Wow! Fantastic world, characters and story. Passing this on to my kids now.
April 9, 2021
It was an ok book.
I had to keep stoping and starting.
9th April.
I've re read this book and enjoyed it more second time around.
I had to keep stoping and starting.
9th April.
I've re read this book and enjoyed it more second time around.
March 8, 2020
Any winner of the Bath Children's Novel Award is going to turn my head. The calibre of writers that are shortlisted for this award is staggering year upon year and so to win it must feel like the ultimate achievement.
Therefore, when I heard Struan Murray's novel, winner of the 2017 award, was being published I pre-ordered it months in advance.
Murray's debut novel certainly didn't disappoint.The set-up grabbed me from the start; an independent female inventor living in the only city left in the world (after The Drowning) saves a mysterious boy who has just emerged from the belly of a beached whale...
yes, there was no question that I wanted to read on!
When Seth is accused of being the new vessel of the enemy, he is sentenced to death. Ellie, knowing the accusations are false is desperate to save him- but she can't do it alone. Suddenly, the clock is ticking and the city is becoming as dark and as dangerous as the sea. Submerged in a deadly game, Ellie must learn from the past to save the future.
This novel sweeps you off your feet and carries you away on a tide that is gripping, thrilling and gothically dark. It is a challenging and intense read, with the main rays of light being the little orphans and the strength of friendship throughout. The plot is highly unique with a mid-way twist that will leave your heart thumping in your chest. The narrative is broken up with diary extracts which add depth and increase tension and the voice of Finn is deliciously enjoyable.
I found it took a little time to warm to the characters of Ellie and Anna and the ending felt left-open, making it not completely satisfying. However, for anyone who fancies immersing themselves in a murky, gritty fantastical world which will throw you around more ferociously than the waves in a stormy sea then this is the book for you. It is a novel which will leave you gasping for air and will stay in your memory long after reading.
Not for the faint-hearted! I can't wait to hear what is coming next from this talented debut author.
October 23, 2023
This book was very slow and I ultimately had to put it down when I was just over a third of the way through. The main character was written more like a 20-something adult than a 12 year old child, and the story was too slow and had too many inconsistencies in small details to make me want to continue.
Pros: the revelation of the Vessel was intriguing and was what convinced me to read as far as I did. Unfortunately those sections were fairly spaced out.
Cons: multiple references to real-world inventions that did not necessarily fit into the story (e.g. fire sprinkler systems, animals in preservation fluid despite the main character almost exclusively shown to be working with mechanical items). Also, the author sometimes referenced real-world items -such as a dye that is visible under black light - but then used them incorrectly. In that instance, the main girl was following the trail of someone who had stepped in a puddle of her dye that glows under black-light, and she was somehow able to follow that trail all across town, despite a) it being daylight and b) the person having only stepped in the puddle of dye for a moment. Small illogical elements like that added up to be kind of annoying. Also, the economics of a town that provides a full workshop, job, and tools to a local 12-year-old felt strange, especially since she was not really shown to work on the job she was paid for and instead spent the majority of her time on her own experiments.
Overall, it seemed like an interesting idea for a story, but there was too much description and not enough action, resulting in a slow, dragging pace.
Pros: the revelation of the Vessel was intriguing and was what convinced me to read as far as I did. Unfortunately those sections were fairly spaced out.
Cons: multiple references to real-world inventions that did not necessarily fit into the story (e.g. fire sprinkler systems, animals in preservation fluid despite the main character almost exclusively shown to be working with mechanical items). Also, the author sometimes referenced real-world items -such as a dye that is visible under black light - but then used them incorrectly. In that instance, the main girl was following the trail of someone who had stepped in a puddle of her dye that glows under black-light, and she was somehow able to follow that trail all across town, despite a) it being daylight and b) the person having only stepped in the puddle of dye for a moment. Small illogical elements like that added up to be kind of annoying. Also, the economics of a town that provides a full workshop, job, and tools to a local 12-year-old felt strange, especially since she was not really shown to work on the job she was paid for and instead spent the majority of her time on her own experiments.
Overall, it seemed like an interesting idea for a story, but there was too much description and not enough action, resulting in a slow, dragging pace.
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