The Undercurrent

Eighteen-year-old Julianne De Marchi is different. As in: she has an electrical undercurrent beneath her skin that stings and surges like a live wire. She can use it—to spark a fire, maybe even end a life—but she doesn’t understand what it is. And she can barely control it, especially when she’s anxious.

Ryan Walsh was on track for a stellar football career when his knee blew out. Now he’s a soldier—part of an experimental privatised military unit that has identified Jules De Marchi as a threat. Is it because of the weird undercurrent she’s tried so hard to hide? Or because of her mother Angie’s history as an activist against bio-engineering and big business?

It’s no coincidence that Ryan and Jules are in the same place at the same time—he’s under orders to follow her, after all. But then an explosive attack on a city building by an unknown enemy throws them together in the most violent and unexpected way.

Paula Weston, author of the much-admired Rephaim series, returns with a standalone work: a near futuristic thriller that is utterly and undeniably thrilling. Great writing, heart-burning characters, probing questions about where technology is taking us—and a plot that zips and zings like an electrical current itself. This is a great young-adult writer at the peak of her powers.

‘The Undercurrent has everything you could possibly ask for in a YA novel…the characters are endearing and believable, the romance is meaningful without being saccharine and the plot races along with impeccable timing. Paula Weston conjures a frighteningly believable vision of near-future Australian in this incredibly timely read.’ Books+Publishing

‘When it comes to speculative fiction, Paula Weston can deliver, and deliver, moreover, on recognisably Australian soil...The Undercurrent is a well-written suspense thriller, political mystery, family saga, slow-burning romance and, above all, prescient picture of our own far-too-possible future.’ Magpies

‘The Undercurrent is gripping and action-packed...Paula Weston has created an ambitious thriller that presents us with an alarming look at Australia’s near future and where our technological advances could be taking us.’ Readings

‘The Undercurrent is a real roller-coaster of a read, packed full of thrills and tension and non-stop action. The characters are captivating and nuanced. The plot is fast-paced and high-powered. Most importantly, it is a tightly written and eminently satisfying standalone book.’ Booktopia