What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Carbon #2
The Surface
No Power. No Food. No Rescue.
When the rains came the first time and campus flooded, Cage thought it was a freak weather incident. Joule saw it for what it was—a warning.
Life went back to normal when most of the water receded. But the standing puddles left behind weren’t normal. Something had laid eggs in it…
The creatures from the San Fransisco Bay found a path into the floodwaters. As the rain comes harder the second time, the flood is much deeper and those who go underwater don’t come back up.
The rip-currents are the least dangerous things in the water. Can Cage and Joule escape? How will they survive when even the land isn’t safe? And what about the ones they left behind?
The Surface is the second book in the fast-paced Black Carbon apocalyptic thriller series. If you love narrow escapes and don’t-blink/don’t-breathe suspense, you love this new series.
Brave the rising tide and read The Surface now!
When the rains came the first time and campus flooded, Cage thought it was a freak weather incident. Joule saw it for what it was—a warning.
Life went back to normal when most of the water receded. But the standing puddles left behind weren’t normal. Something had laid eggs in it…
The creatures from the San Fransisco Bay found a path into the floodwaters. As the rain comes harder the second time, the flood is much deeper and those who go underwater don’t come back up.
The rip-currents are the least dangerous things in the water. Can Cage and Joule escape? How will they survive when even the land isn’t safe? And what about the ones they left behind?
The Surface is the second book in the fast-paced Black Carbon apocalyptic thriller series. If you love narrow escapes and don’t-blink/don’t-breathe suspense, you love this new series.
Brave the rising tide and read The Surface now!
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
377 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Scudiere
65 books389 followers📖𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆, 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲
♟️stories you can't outguess! 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘺!
🏆USA TODAY bestselling author
🎁grab a FREE BOOK at my website ReadAJS.com
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝟥𝟢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳!
GET YOUR FREE BOOK FROM ME HERE
https://www.readajs.com/book-series/n...
"Install a seatbelt in your favorite reading chair!" - ★★★★★
♟️stories you can't outguess! 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘺!
🏆USA TODAY bestselling author
🎁grab a FREE BOOK at my website ReadAJS.com
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝟥𝟢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳!
GET YOUR FREE BOOK FROM ME HERE
https://www.readajs.com/book-series/n...
"Install a seatbelt in your favorite reading chair!" - ★★★★★
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 22, 2022
Stupid. Obviously Written for pre-teens, since everything about it is ludicrous
April 28, 2020
Holy Environmental Crisis, Batman!
I haven't been this afraid to go near the water since "Jaws!" The Surface is a nail biting, edge of your seat suspense that gives thrills and chills in equal measure. Water levels are rising. What was once confined to the depths of the ocean can now access inland hunting grounds, including a college campus, leaving a group of terrified students fighting for their lives. They'll need all of their wits and survival skills if they are to make it out alive.
No spoilers, but when Ma Nature fights back, she does it with a BITE.
HIGHLY recommend!
I haven't been this afraid to go near the water since "Jaws!" The Surface is a nail biting, edge of your seat suspense that gives thrills and chills in equal measure. Water levels are rising. What was once confined to the depths of the ocean can now access inland hunting grounds, including a college campus, leaving a group of terrified students fighting for their lives. They'll need all of their wits and survival skills if they are to make it out alive.
No spoilers, but when Ma Nature fights back, she does it with a BITE.
HIGHLY recommend!
May 12, 2020
*I received an advance copy with no expectation of a positive review* Cage and Joule are nearing the end of their freshmen year at Stanford. They escaped the terrifying events in Rowena Heights and have moved on to a far more stable environment. Or have they? After reading The Hunted, I didn't think that there could possibly be a worse situation that these two would have to endure. Boy was I wrong! The constant rain and flooding was enough to make me feel cold and uncomfortable the entire time I was reading. This one kept me on the edge of my seat, and I learned not to breathe a sigh of relief too quickly. Great action, unexpected twists, and seemingly impossible problems to resolve. A great read!
July 6, 2025
What Lurks Below The Surface?
A. J. Scudiere can scare you faster than reading the blurb on a Stephen King novel. And she increases the creepy factor by a thousand with inventively imagined apocalyptic creatures that will haunt your nightmares for months.
In The Surface, we welcome back twins Cage and Joule who are now attending College at Stanford in Northern California. Joule's roommate can barely tolerate her, for no apparent reason. Cage lucked out and has a much friendlier roomie.
Their peaceful world begins to come undone during a stormy period of days. Joule notes to herself that she chose to attend College at Stanford knowing that the weather tends to be foggy and rainy. She just didn't expect this much rain.
As you may know, with rapid Climate Change comes severe, unpredictable weather events. In an Apocalyptic year, weather takes on a life of its own. Joule discovers how frightening walking back to her dorm room can be when her knee-high rain boots fill up as she walks a block.
The Surface will change the way you look at puddles, rivers, and lakes forever. That sense of foreboding you get when you are walking near the woods will change to hysteria. You'll finally know that Nature is not your friend.
Please don't make the mistake I made and pick up The Surface to read before bedtime. Not only will you be unable to put the book down, but when you do finish it, you won't be able to tell the difference between the book and your nightmares.
A. J. Scudiere can scare you faster than reading the blurb on a Stephen King novel. And she increases the creepy factor by a thousand with inventively imagined apocalyptic creatures that will haunt your nightmares for months.
In The Surface, we welcome back twins Cage and Joule who are now attending College at Stanford in Northern California. Joule's roommate can barely tolerate her, for no apparent reason. Cage lucked out and has a much friendlier roomie.
Their peaceful world begins to come undone during a stormy period of days. Joule notes to herself that she chose to attend College at Stanford knowing that the weather tends to be foggy and rainy. She just didn't expect this much rain.
As you may know, with rapid Climate Change comes severe, unpredictable weather events. In an Apocalyptic year, weather takes on a life of its own. Joule discovers how frightening walking back to her dorm room can be when her knee-high rain boots fill up as she walks a block.
The Surface will change the way you look at puddles, rivers, and lakes forever. That sense of foreboding you get when you are walking near the woods will change to hysteria. You'll finally know that Nature is not your friend.
Please don't make the mistake I made and pick up The Surface to read before bedtime. Not only will you be unable to put the book down, but when you do finish it, you won't be able to tell the difference between the book and your nightmares.
June 19, 2021
The Great Thing About Life-Threatening Disaster Is No Personal Drama
This second volume of the Black Carbon series picks up not too long after the first book ended. Joule and Cage, now freshmen at Stanford, remain the main characters, but several other young adults and a few professors also have important roles. The author doesn't dwell too much on the typical coming-of-age issues among the twins and their circle of friends, and there's no romantic entanglements, but the characters become vivid despite the sparse information written about them.
They become known by what they do, which is a much more interesting way to reveal characters' personalities, particularly in an action-heavy plot like this one.
At first, the driving intensity I anticipated seemed far less than the previous novel, but I didn't have to read too much further to begin burning through the pages again. I was expecting the climate change upheaval that the author certainly delivered, but she has the knack for building surprises into the expected threats.
Like Book one, this volume can be read alone, there are no cliffhangers, but I'm reading the series in order to enjoy the full, heart-in-my-throat thrill ride.
This second volume of the Black Carbon series picks up not too long after the first book ended. Joule and Cage, now freshmen at Stanford, remain the main characters, but several other young adults and a few professors also have important roles. The author doesn't dwell too much on the typical coming-of-age issues among the twins and their circle of friends, and there's no romantic entanglements, but the characters become vivid despite the sparse information written about them.
They become known by what they do, which is a much more interesting way to reveal characters' personalities, particularly in an action-heavy plot like this one.
At first, the driving intensity I anticipated seemed far less than the previous novel, but I didn't have to read too much further to begin burning through the pages again. I was expecting the climate change upheaval that the author certainly delivered, but she has the knack for building surprises into the expected threats.
Like Book one, this volume can be read alone, there are no cliffhangers, but I'm reading the series in order to enjoy the full, heart-in-my-throat thrill ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2020
This is the second book in the Black Carbon series by A J Scudiere. I have many of her books and have enjoyed them all.
This one is about twins Joule and Cage who are now in school at Stanford. They are finally living a normal life. It starts to rain and flood. There is something on in the water. The wildlife on dry land is extremely aggressive. When students go missing it is time to act.
I was to see more depth in Joule roommate, Ginnifer and her bestie Holly. They turned out to be great assets in the fight to get away and battle the unknown.
Once again, the author writes a good story that kept my interest throughout the book.
Looking forward to the next one. I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
This one is about twins Joule and Cage who are now in school at Stanford. They are finally living a normal life. It starts to rain and flood. There is something on in the water. The wildlife on dry land is extremely aggressive. When students go missing it is time to act.
I was to see more depth in Joule roommate, Ginnifer and her bestie Holly. They turned out to be great assets in the fight to get away and battle the unknown.
Once again, the author writes a good story that kept my interest throughout the book.
Looking forward to the next one. I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
March 17, 2021
Wow, the action just kept on coming with this one!
Cage and Joule are now at college and doing quite well. When it starts to rain, and rain, and rain, they don't give it too much thought, at first. It is when campus starts to flood, that is when things get really scary.
This was another "can't put it down" book by this author. The last book was scary enough but this one was next level again. It was the right mixture of facts e.g. climate change is real, whether we like it or not; and some fiction mixed in. I was wondering, time and again, how they were going to get through the situations they found themselves in.
Love the style of writing from this author! I have always loved apocalyptical stories and this was an excellent example of one.
5 stars from me.
Cage and Joule are now at college and doing quite well. When it starts to rain, and rain, and rain, they don't give it too much thought, at first. It is when campus starts to flood, that is when things get really scary.
This was another "can't put it down" book by this author. The last book was scary enough but this one was next level again. It was the right mixture of facts e.g. climate change is real, whether we like it or not; and some fiction mixed in. I was wondering, time and again, how they were going to get through the situations they found themselves in.
Love the style of writing from this author! I have always loved apocalyptical stories and this was an excellent example of one.
5 stars from me.
November 24, 2020
The author knows how to scare the pants off of you! Twins attending college together on the west coast find that it keeps on raining and there is an increasing amount of flooding. Then they nearly get drowned in a flood of water. It continues to rain and the water continues to get deeper. The water is flooding basements at the university and the water continues to climb. The sidewalks and streets are flooded and soon the water is flooding into the second floor of the dorms. As they climb up to the third floor due to rising water they find that people have gone missing. They find body parts. Something is in the water! Very scary!
June 18, 2020
Goodreads Giveaway Award
The plot of the story was epic. I loved the whole idea of it.
I got bored with the theme and some things became too predictable for me.
If you haven't tried Scudiere, definitely pick up a few. Opinions vary and being the plot is fantastic, I highly recommend even with the four star rating.
The plot of the story was epic. I loved the whole idea of it.
I got bored with the theme and some things became too predictable for me.
If you haven't tried Scudiere, definitely pick up a few. Opinions vary and being the plot is fantastic, I highly recommend even with the four star rating.
May 15, 2020
Rating 4 stars. (Note this rating compares with Tom Clancy, Thomas Jefferson and the like).
In a style and with skills that A.J. Scudiere seems to possess in expressing the terror of the unknown and partially known, “Surface” is a welcome addition to those of us who collect her books. Except for the special connection the heroes have with each other, none have special attributes that many of AJs have been given. That connection, maybe comparable to a married couple married for 62 years, adds to the tension throughout the story, for the reader no longer can count on a special attribute to save the day.
In my opinion, the only negative to the book is AJs choice of venue for the story. I should warn readers familiar with the Bay Area in California that some technical problems exist associated with that choice. I recommend that you not get hung up on those problems as I was. Enjoy!
The author of this review was not compensated monetarily in any way.
In a style and with skills that A.J. Scudiere seems to possess in expressing the terror of the unknown and partially known, “Surface” is a welcome addition to those of us who collect her books. Except for the special connection the heroes have with each other, none have special attributes that many of AJs have been given. That connection, maybe comparable to a married couple married for 62 years, adds to the tension throughout the story, for the reader no longer can count on a special attribute to save the day.
In my opinion, the only negative to the book is AJs choice of venue for the story. I should warn readers familiar with the Bay Area in California that some technical problems exist associated with that choice. I recommend that you not get hung up on those problems as I was. Enjoy!
The author of this review was not compensated monetarily in any way.
January 10, 2025
I really so wanted to give 4 stars to this second installment of Black Carbon. The fantastic just became more extreme (with even more teeth); leaving logic dazed and confused. Thrown into a sink or swim situation, the twins struggle to keep their heads above water being well out of their depth. It was another entertaining read, and I enjoyed the characters even if I was little frustrated with them at times.
I should also mention that I was notably grateful the author did not feel the need to add giant squid into the fray.
The reason I restrained myself to 3 stars is that I found myself distracted by the poor editing - much more so than in book 1. It didn't overly distract me from the story and probably wouldn't bother some people, but it was enough for me to start taking a 'there's another one' approach when reading.
Having said that, I jumped straight into book 3 after finishing this one.
I should also mention that I was notably grateful the author did not feel the need to add giant squid into the fray.
The reason I restrained myself to 3 stars is that I found myself distracted by the poor editing - much more so than in book 1. It didn't overly distract me from the story and probably wouldn't bother some people, but it was enough for me to start taking a 'there's another one' approach when reading.
Having said that, I jumped straight into book 3 after finishing this one.
May 8, 2020
Cage and Joule’s life was finally getting back to a normal. Now attending Stanford everything seemed to be normal as it could be after last their adventure.
Until the rain begins and students started disappearing. Strange things were seen swimming in the rising waters.
Rain kept coming, water rising, roommates sullen. Food is running out.
They must survive at any cost.
Once again I could nod put this book down.
Thanks A. J. For another great read.
RJ
Until the rain begins and students started disappearing. Strange things were seen swimming in the rising waters.
Rain kept coming, water rising, roommates sullen. Food is running out.
They must survive at any cost.
Once again I could nod put this book down.
Thanks A. J. For another great read.
RJ
July 7, 2025
The Surface is a story of two different massive floods that hit San Francisco. The story tells of the rising waters and what a group of Freshmen students at Stanford do. The water rises at an alarming rate. On of the girls after the first flood buys two rubber rafts to use. A group of eight students use the rafts to get out of their dorm. They deal with many issues as they escape. The story is a bit far fetched is several ways. The author is a bit long winded and the story falls short.
May 6, 2020
In this latest book, Joule and Cage are caught in a flood so massive it links San Francisco Bay to the Stanford campus. As if the flooding isn’t bad enough, there are denizens of the deep and displaced wildlife hindering the twins’ efforts to rescue other students. This book kept me reading until the early morning hours, and made my heart race. Another great story by A.J. Scudiere!
May 12, 2020
Another hit from A.J., I had to keep putting this book down and come back to it. The tension builds until I was afraid of what was coming. This is a scary good story. Since I went by the Stanford campus last year it was easy to imagine the locations. I can easily recommend this book and look forward to the next story in the Carbon series.
June 20, 2020
Good stuff!
Same strong lead characters, totally different turmoil. I already don't like water, this solidified it for me! You feel a complete range of emotions & even find yourself arguing with characters about the next course of action. Great next book in series, and great stand alone book. Can't wait for the next one, Tempest!
Same strong lead characters, totally different turmoil. I already don't like water, this solidified it for me! You feel a complete range of emotions & even find yourself arguing with characters about the next course of action. Great next book in series, and great stand alone book. Can't wait for the next one, Tempest!
January 13, 2021
Great stories - REALLY need a proofreader
Enjoy this author. Strong character development, captivating story lines. But her Kindle books DESPERATELY need a better proofreader. Words are missing or extra words are inserted. Characters are misidentified in scenes. Occasionally character names are misspelled. Breaks the focus on the story.
Enjoy this author. Strong character development, captivating story lines. But her Kindle books DESPERATELY need a better proofreader. Words are missing or extra words are inserted. Characters are misidentified in scenes. Occasionally character names are misspelled. Breaks the focus on the story.
March 12, 2022
Fast paced exciting read!
I was able to listen to the first book in the series, "The Hunted". Unfortunately, the rest of the series is not available as an audio book but the series is so goid, I 'm finding the time to read all of them instead of just listening to them while driving. The first two books in the series were excellent. I highly recommend them.
I was able to listen to the first book in the series, "The Hunted". Unfortunately, the rest of the series is not available as an audio book but the series is so goid, I 'm finding the time to read all of them instead of just listening to them while driving. The first two books in the series were excellent. I highly recommend them.
January 23, 2022
The first book had a lot of preparation and investigation in it before the real fight began, but this book was structured much more like a disaster movie where there are a few foreshadowing events and then all hell breaks loose. So obviously I had to read it all in one day!
February 8, 2022
fabulous story
This was a flood with a difference! I could feel the rain and the deep bone chilling cold. Joule and Cage really have their work cut out, surviving and rescuing. It’s not just puddles. It is the best catastrophe I’ve read!
This was a flood with a difference! I could feel the rain and the deep bone chilling cold. Joule and Cage really have their work cut out, surviving and rescuing. It’s not just puddles. It is the best catastrophe I’ve read!
June 22, 2025
Twin endeavors
Sets of twins deal with a series of unnatural events. Nature has gone off the rails , flooding a college campus and the surrounding geography, leaving people stranded and people willing to risk all to help them.
Sets of twins deal with a series of unnatural events. Nature has gone off the rails , flooding a college campus and the surrounding geography, leaving people stranded and people willing to risk all to help them.
June 22, 2025
I picked this up off Bookbub and is was rated highly.
After reading 20% could no longer continue as it felt like a was reading a book that was required in my 5th grade. The concept was ok, but the story just wandered and the characters were cartoonish.
After reading 20% could no longer continue as it felt like a was reading a book that was required in my 5th grade. The concept was ok, but the story just wandered and the characters were cartoonish.
July 1, 2025
fishy story
Just unbelievable. I felt wet just reading it. I was waiting for the next insanity to happen. I thought for sure that the kid was grabbed by an octopus at one point. Of course capturing a shark was beyond nutty.
Just unbelievable. I felt wet just reading it. I was waiting for the next insanity to happen. I thought for sure that the kid was grabbed by an octopus at one point. Of course capturing a shark was beyond nutty.
October 6, 2025
So so
It started out as a page-turner for me, but then the story just got repetitive and unbelievable. The ending was disappointing as well which I cannot expound upon without giving anything away. I really cannot recommend it.
It started out as a page-turner for me, but then the story just got repetitive and unbelievable. The ending was disappointing as well which I cannot expound upon without giving anything away. I really cannot recommend it.
May 7, 2020
there is not a lot to say about The Surface except that if you like non stop suspense then this is right up your ally. Seldom do books start and finish with so much excitement. I loved it.
May 27, 2020
Enjoyed this book
Only a 4 star rating since I got tired of the rain. Subject matter needed some diversity. Still, I really liked all the characters and enjoyed the story.
Only a 4 star rating since I got tired of the rain. Subject matter needed some diversity. Still, I really liked all the characters and enjoyed the story.
June 23, 2020
won from goodreads. thrills and chills. good book good premise
June 28, 2020
Again
What more can I say about this author, and the dynamic story line? Scudiere, has done it again, riveting and fast paced, this book is great!
What more can I say about this author, and the dynamic story line? Scudiere, has done it again, riveting and fast paced, this book is great!
July 25, 2020
Amazing. Riveting. Scary as hell. I loved it.
June 11, 2022
This is the second novel of the Black Carbon series.
This time it is days of unending rain, flooding, and the incursion of carnivorous sea creatures that have to be survived.
This time it is days of unending rain, flooding, and the incursion of carnivorous sea creatures that have to be survived.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews