Early Reader Review: Deep Water by Watt Key

Source: From Macmillan in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Deep Water by Watt Key
Publisher:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date:  April 17, 2018 - TODAY!

 

Format:  Paperback ARC

Rating:


 



 Goodreads Synopsis: 

A middle grade survival story about a scuba dive gone wrong and two enemies who must unite to survive.

It's the most important rule of scuba diving: If you don't feel right, don't go down.

So after her father falls ill, twelve-year-old Julie Sims must take over and lead two of his clients on a dive miles off the coast of Alabama while her father stays behind in the boat. When the clients, a reckless boy Julie's age and his equally foolhardy father, disregard Julie's instructions during the dive, she quickly realizes she's in over her head.

And once she surfaces, things only get worse: One of the clients is in serious condition, and their dive boat has vanished--along with Julie's father, the only person who knows their whereabouts. It's only a matter of time before they die of hypothermia, unless they become shark bait first. Though Julie may not like her clients, it's up to her to save them all. 

Review: 
I am not a huge fan of more contemporary books, I normally stick with fantasy and the like - but this description had me interested. I am so glad I agreed to read it, because it was SO good! 

The book follows Julie as she goes on a dive that is destined for mishaps and she finds herself and her companions abandoned in the ocean. She has to work to keep herself and the others alive. 

While there wasn't a lot of character development in this book with the main character, but there was so much other stuff to keep the reader interested that it didn't matter (at least for me). There was character growth in the secondary character though - which was nice - mostly because you want to punch him for the first half of the book.

While they are stranded they go through so much, and Julie's character does so well trying to navigate and keep everyone safe - it was inspirational and a good take on the 'don't panic' style of things. I found the information that the book delivered to be both educational as well as made for a great story too. 

I read this book in about 2-3 sittings and really enjoyed it the whole way through. If you are looking for a more contemporary book, like the ocean, or survival stories, you are sure to enjoy this one.