The Vanishing Deep: Pros and Cons of Bringing Back the Dead

April 26, 2021 by Bec | 4 stars, Books, Reviews

The Vanishing Deep: Pros and Cons of Bringing Back the DeadThe Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte
Published by Allen & Unwin on March 3rd 202
Source: Publisher
Genres: Action & Adventure, Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic, Suspense, Young Adult
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Seventeen-year-old Tempe was born into a world of water. When the Great Waves destroyed her planet, its people had to learn to survive living on the water, but the ruins of the cities below still called. Tempe dives daily, scavenging the ruins of a bygone era, searching for anything of value to trade for Notes. It isn't food or clothing that she wants to buy, but her dead sister's life. For a price, the research facility on the island of Palindromena will revive the dearly departed for twenty-four hours before returning them to death. It isn't a heartfelt reunion that Tempe is after; she wants answers. Elysea died keeping a terrible secret, one that has ignited an unquenchable fury in Tempe: Her beloved sister was responsible for the death of their parents. Tempe wants to know why.

But once revived, Elysea has other plans. She doesn't want to spend her last day in a cold room accounting for a crime she insists she didn't commit. Elysea wants her freedom and one final glimpse at the life that was stolen from her. She persuades Tempe to break her out of the facility, and they embark on a dangerous journey to discover the truth about their parents' death and mend their broken bond. But they're pursued every step of the way by two Palindromena employees desperate to find them before Elysea's time is up--and before the secret behind the revival process and the true cost of restored life is revealed.

The Good Things

  • This book pleasantly surprised me! I thought I would find it mediocre (not sure why) but it was SO GOOD!! It helped pull me out of a mild depressed slump.
  • YA post-apocalyptic standalone from an Aussie author!
  • There is a really strong sense of suspense! The entire book is a race against time, and each chapter starts with a countdown.
  • I quite enjoyed the dual point of views! Both main characters had interesting but complicated relationships with family.
  • I would not say no to more books set in this world, especially if they’re set on the United Sea. I want to see more of it!
  • The ending took some turns I did not expect. It was a lot more bittersweet than I expected but did suit the story and made me appreciate it more.
  • I did not think this book would give me such a big book hangover, but it did!

 

The Not-So-Good Things

  • I don’t think the romance was necessary. Considering most of the story was set over 24 hours I do think it was done well and I can see why it might have been added, but I do think the story would have been fine without it.
  • I wish we got a bigger glimpse into Palindromeda. It’s set up to be this big evil corporation but so little of the book is set there.

 

The Vanishing Deep was a book that took me by surprise! It was a wonderful, fast paced YA post-apocalyptic set in a really interesting world I wish we got to spend more time in.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you Allen & Unwin for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review! The Vanishing Deep is available now.

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Bec is an Aussie blogger and reader who loves all types of novels. Fantasy, sci fi, and historical are my usual go-to genres. If I’m not binge reading, I’m usually gaming, trying to take decent photos for bookstagram, or freaking out about silly things.

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