Dark Tide

by Sean Rodman

A remote bay in the Pacific Northwest has held a secret for thousands of years…and that secret just woke up. Kai is angry when he’s forced to join his new stepfather, Rick, on a research trip to Blind Bay. On a floating lab in the middle of nowhere. Rick, a marine biologist, is using sound waves to explore deep underwater caves. But they discover that the sound pulses have awakened something. Something that is now hunting them―an ancient predator from the depths of the caves. Soon the tide will turn, unleashing the creature out into the open ocean…and upon the world. Kai and his stepdad need to find a way to work together to stop the creature before the tide turns.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Survival, Fiction, Adventure

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

I live and work in Victoria, British Columbia. I am the child of two anthropologists, which gave me a keen eye for observation and a bad case of wanderlust. My interest in writing for teenagers came out of working at a number of interesting schools around the world. In the Snowy Mountains of Australia, I taught ancient history to future Olympic athletes. Closer to home, my family and I lived and worked with students from over 100 countries at a non-profit international school.

Reviews

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read

I received a copy from Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Sean Rodman for the opportunity to review your book. This was an enjoyable read. It was short and fun. I did wish it was longer and we could have seen more about what happened. It was full of suspense. Kai is a 17 year old who goes on an trip with his stepfather, Rick, to Blind Bay, when he encounters a monster chasing him. He doesn’t have a good relationship with Rick because he is afraid that he would lose his mother. I feel like Kai is a very relatable character. The fear of losing something gets to us all, and his character started opening up when we let that fear go. Rick is Kai’s stepfather and a research scientist who had to go to Blind Bay to retrieve a broken Rover. I feel like Rick’s approach toward his stepson changes after Kai was chased by the monster. We see their relationship grow and that was the best part of the story. Seeing both of them open up and express what they feel. I hope to read more Sean Rodman books. I also hope that he writes another book to see what happens to the characters and the story. Overall, a great read.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings: violence, threats of danger

3.5 stars

I picked this up and read it cover to cover in about 20 minutes, so it definitely achieves what the publisher intended - it's high interest for low/reluctant readers. My one minor complaint would be that there's very little depth to the characters. In some ways, it doesn't matter - it's a big dumb monster story. But on the other hand, I didn't really care about the main character and so I wasn't particularly worried about him being in danger.

All in all, does what it intends to do, so probably my complaints are kind of meaningless because they would change the story's intent.

[olivia ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

novella
wish this was longer
not my usual genre but I enjoyed it

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing little about Orca Books, I didn't know they were a Canadian equivalent to Barrington Stoke, printing in just the same way to negate as many issues with dyslexia and reading issues as possible. That is of course commendable, as is, at my third time of asking, this little piece. It's about a kid who initially presents as such an unlikeable brat, speeding away from the research station his new step-dad has allegedly dragged him to in the Canadian remoteness. When he finds a monster, and barely survives, it's up to his determination to save the day – that and some hooey about research submarine drones having loudspeakers and suchlike. One sentence has it as scary that one nearly gets dropped in the water. That looseness with real life (afaik) aside, this is a full-on pelt through energetic scenes, and an old-fashioned B-movie styled approach is not too much a stretch of the imagination. Four stars may seem a little generous, but this has to be commended for ignoring everything but its onrush of plot.

[Rachel Long]

The character name Kai,and there are some other characters.Kai’s stepfather name Rick,he is a scientist,there’s a another scientist name Dr.Ortiz.They are traveling to Blind Bay for researching.
Kai is the protagonist, he is not happy with his stepfather, his stepfather's name is Rick, he has no feelings for his stepson.
The story takes place in Blind Bay, and the plot unfolds primarily within this location, so the ending isn't significantly affected.
I think the author's personality is similar to mine, because I think I am stubborn, and the author is the same.This similarity allows me to empathize with the author's thoughts when he is angry.
I read chapter 7, Kai was very resistant to his stepfather at first, but now he has feelings for his stepfather. So I guess they will overcome many crises to complete this adventure and their relationship will become deeper.

Using the sense of hearing, Kai hears sounds underwater, seemingly guiding him towards the abyss. The volume of the sounds varies at different depths, further immersing the reader.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Tide [RL: 2.0] is an action-packed, fast-paced new Orca book, and is perhaps a bit too focused on action to the detriment of its story. That said, for an Orca, it presents a believable parent/teen relationship as Kai, 17, is forced to spend time with his Biologist Stepdad on a floating research platform somewhere in BC. The action comes in when Kai discovers his 'dad' accidentally-woke an ancient predator from deep underwater caves... The premise is pretty B-movie, but, again, some things are handled quite well, and this could be a great quick read for picky reluctant reader teen boys (for example).

[8th Grade Views on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly wonderful tale. From the view of a teenage recluse dragged along by his stepdad to a remote island research facility, and featuring a dog, it is an interesting story. The main character, Kai, ends up developing a new attitude toward the world, even if the life-threatening experience did most of it. The visceral detail of the surrounding environment is also incredible. However, how short the story is might deter certain readers, it is only about 80 pages and the text is rather large. If you need a short story to fill time, or just take a breather from long essays, this is it.

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

First hi-lo I’ve read in awhile that I enjoyed. It has a cinematic feel. Yes, it is a little straightforward and some of the dialogue seems too simplified in terms of character and trope, but overall, for what this IS, it’s not bad. We need more accessible reads like this that aren’t all racial stereotypes and after school special content. So a solid 3 stars. Recommended for younger teens and those who like horror but want/need it short and simple.

[Zoey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this one would be a great short movie, full of action and thrills. I would be terrified to see this monster on the big screen. It was scary to picture in my head. Granted, I don’t read a lot of horror or thriller books. So, what’s scary for me will probably not be scary for someone else. I mean, Supernatural (the TV show) is as close to horror as I get to watch. Anything more and I become inconsolable. Overall a great read.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well plotted, thrilling and intriguing novella.
There's some horror and sci-fi side, there's the relationship between a father and a son.
Kai is a spoiled brat at the beginning and he's the one that face the monster.
There's a lot of characters development and an intersting monster
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Devynne_M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but after reading the back of the book I was expecting a longer story not just basically one scene. And really if there was more of the story surrounding it, it would be still good maybe a little better too. But all in all still a good short story. And don't worry dogo doesn't die in it 😊

[Shannon Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Read- great for reluctant readers who enjoy fast-paced adventure tales. Takes place on the edge of a bay in the remote wilderness and only spans a matter of hours. The tale unfolds quickly to get readers into the action and into the path of a monster.

[TIFFY ⭐️🥂 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super short and quick scary little story very short though for what it was Kai and his new stepdad go out for adventure and they spot this monster creature who’s trying to kill them both.

[Rayleigh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book I want more of this thrill with a great monster ending and a great runaway awesome playout just amazing!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young adult story that will do fine for any young horror fan.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still have no idea what this animal was supposed to be....

[Kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

90 pages not 96.

[Kai Enderlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book was good.