Hold Back the Tide
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- £0.99
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- £0.99
Publisher Description
Everyone knows what happened to Alva's mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future - and question everything she thought she knew about her past...
Unsettling, sharply beautiful and thought-provoking, HOLD BACK THE TIDE is the new novel from Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater's Daughter trilogy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
For seven years, Alva Douglas has known what the residents of Ormscaula only suspect: that her father, Lachlan, killed her mother. Da claims that Mam abandoned them, but Alva heard the gunshots and has lived in fear ever since. When she turns 16, Alva secures a job in Thurso and arranges to stow away on the next mail cart. Before she can carry out her plan, though, terrifying creatures called lanfhuil begin emerging from caves exposed by the loch's dropping water level a consequence of the local mill's expansion. As the loch's caretaker, or Naomhfhuil, it's Lachlan's duty to warn the villagers and convince the mill's owner his nemesis, Giles Stewart to cease operations. Alva quickly realizes that her father has no intention of doing either, however, and she resolves to save the day with the aid of fellow outcast Murren Ross, who was born with a "twisted leg," and Giles' son, Gavan. After a setup-heavy start, Salisbury (the State of Sorrow duology) launches readers headlong into a harrowing Scottish Highlands set historical horror rife with monsters both literal and metaphorical. Keenly rendered characters, high-stakes action, and tender romance keep the pages turning until the tale's heartrending close. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Not my usual cup of tea!
I read this book in support of my daughter who was being challenged to read it over the 2 week Easter break!
This book had me going from not wanting to read it to having to! I hate all things “unbelievable” or not in the “real world”. I never seem to be able to picture the scenes in my imagination like I can real-life stories. However, it is testament to the writer how she managed to keep me reading, vividly stepping in to the shoes of Alva & feeling what she did. Whilst my daughter wanted the “happy ever after” ending, & is indeed still reeling from how it ended, I thought it was very clever and like all good writers, it will keep me thinking about it for days/weeks after I’ve finished it. This won’t be a story I forget so although I didn’t enjoy it because it wasn’t my usual cup of tea.....I have really enjoyed being taken on a completely different journey! I would recommend this book to those who would normally steer clear of supernatural & embrace a new, well-written experience!