Reviews

Across the Risen Sea by Bren MacDibble

kat7890erina's review against another edition

5.0

What a fantastic story! I can't wait to read this with my Year 7 English class. The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with lots of short chapters. Neoma, Jag, and Saleesi are well-rounded and relatable characters. The futuristic world of the Ockery Islands and the Risen Sea is developed subtly and with a message that all should hear: live gently.

thelibraryofklee's review against another edition

4.0

"We each do all we can to live low – impact lives. Our electric stove tops are no worse than your water – drawing windmill there. Let’s not lose sight of what really matters here, old friend. Living gentle lives."

I would highly recommend this dystopian text for middle schoolers / intermediate aged children. The water levels have risen, as a result of climate change, and people are now living on islands, in what looks like Australia. We meet a community living a post-apocalyptic life. Life is relatively simple. The sense of community care is strong and "living gentle" lives is the goal. One day, other people turn up, and install technology on the island without query. This sets off a chain of events, for our protagonist Neoma, what will change their lives forever.

This book is all about adventure, having courage, being resilient, showing loyalty, and of course, the irreparable nature of climate change. It subtly dabbles in ideas around colonisation and inequity. This book is a great stepping stone for 9 - 13 year olds into dystopian worlds. Get this in your school library today!

"Swimming is easy for me. This is why it’s me in the water, swimming to save my two friends, and I can’t let them down. Jus’ like Saleesi will swing that big knife for me, or Jag would be taken so far away for me, I can’t let them down."

madhamster's review against another edition

4.0

Strong female characters dominate this post-climate-change world.
A solid fantasy for older children.

nat1998's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

jengennari's review against another edition

5.0

Crocodiles, sharks, pirates -- this story has it all! A fantastic middle-grade climate fiction book about what it's like after the sea has risen (which it will). When the Valley of Sun people erect Technology on Ockery Islands (where they have sworn off technology), Neoma and her best friend Jag get into trouble. Neoma sets off to rescue Jag. What she discovers and her sense of fairness manages to right some wrongs.

I'm thinking this is a new sub-genre: dystopian with hope. Also: I am grateful to the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow who showcased this book and made it available for free for one week.

Note: Exquisite example of voice.

sashagriffiths's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

hyacoda's review against another edition

5.0

A tale of a post climate disaster future from fast rising seas. Fledgling communities in what becomes the edge of civilisation try to live gently. Told from the delightful point of view of Neoma a young adventurous, resilient and wild child. I was absolutely riveted and delighted, and read the entire book in a couple of hours. It had flavours of both crocodile dundee and waterworld. Some challenging themes that younger children may need support with, I would recommend this as a classroom read for 8+.

bluewithstars's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this and could not put it down, it had me hooked. I need to read other books by Bren MacDibble now.

ozshark's review

4.0

3.5 stars. This is a rollicking adventure story, set in a post apocalyptic world where the oceans have risen and reclaimed most of the land. Much like in How to Bee, I was more interested in this new world and how it operates than the story Bren MacDibble is telling within it. I wanted more information about how people are surviving, particularly the people outside of the Ockery Islands. I liked the challenge of the need to live gentle lives and would have liked to explore this even more. I love the power of the phrase 'the risen sea'. It was very effective throughout the novel.

However, the story of Neoma, Jaguar and their adventures is still fascinating and I hope will be widely received.

I have enjoyed all Ms MacDibble's work so far and look forward to whatever is next. However, I am definitely ready for her next main character to have a different 'voice' and speak in a different way.

madhamster's review

4.0

Strong female characters dominate this post-climate-change world.
A solid fantasy for older children.