Across the Risen Sea

By Author / Illustrator

Bren MacDibble

Genre

Dystopian

Age range(s)

Publisher

Old Barn Books

ISBN

9781910646670

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-08-2020

Synopsis

From the multi award-winning Australian author of 'How to Bee' and 'The Dog Runner', another original and heartfelt middle-grade fiction adventure, exploring themes of loyalty, resilience, courage and the environment.

Neoma and Jag and their small community are 'living gentle lives' on high ground surrounded by the risen sea that has caused widespread devastation. When strangers from the Valley of the Sun arrive unannounced, the friends find themselves drawn into a web of secrecy and lies that endangers their whole way of life. Soon, daring, loyal Neoma must set off on a solo mission across the risen sea, determined to rescue her best friend and find the truth that will save her village.

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Reviews

Across the Risen Sea, Bren MacDibble's (The Dog Runner) latest environmentally-themed children's novel, is set in a post climate change world. Sea levels have risen and flooded most of the land, leaving whole cities underwater. Neoma's smaller community now tries to live a gentler life on what high ground is left. They are self-sufficient; foraging for food and scavenging for supplies from the abandoned and derelict buildings that were left when the flood waters rose.

I read this book in one hit as I could not put it down. The short chapters each spurred me on to read the next instalment. Across the Risen Sea will appeal to those that enjoy a good sea faring adventure story, those who enjoy dystopian fiction, and geographers. It reminded me a little of the post apocalypse Waterworld film starring Kevin Costner and there was also a hint of The Life of Pi with Neoma's 'trained' crocodile on the boat. This is a real adventure story full of strange island visitors, murder investigation, shark attacks, crocodiles, and pirates.

Throughout the book there are subtle messages about living gently, coming together as a community to share provisions, and taking only what you need to survive. Across the Risen Sea would provide great discussion points for book groups. Could a world without using money as currency work?

Neoma has her life turned upside down when strangers from the Valley of the Sun arrive unannounced. Without any consultation, they fell trees and erect what is thought to be a power source on their island. The red light - ever flashing and watchful - keeps the littlies awake on the Rusty Bus.

Neoma sets out to investigate the purpose of this tower and in doing so not only injures herself but incurs the wrath of these strangers. Rather than take Neoma as punishment, they remove her best friend Jag from the island. Neoma then steals away in her mother's favourite boat Licorice Stix. A solo sea faring adventure begins to rescue her best friend and discover the truth that will hopefully rescue her village.

A thoroughly enjoyable and pacey post-apocalyptic adventure story. Content of note: bereavement

256 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian