Secret Sea

Description:

Three teens flee our world for an alternate version of New York City that will teach them, test them, and quite possibly break them.

Brief description: Barry Lyga is the author of more than twenty-five books for teens and adults in a variety of genres, including the New York Times bestselling I Hunt Killers and Thanos: Titan Consumed, the origin of the greatest villain in the MCU. He won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award for I Hunt Killers and was named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Steven Beshear in 2015. His novel Boy Toy was lauded as "...an astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim," and yet has been banned in multiple districts throughout the United States for its unflinching portrayal of child abuse.

Review Quotes: "Heart-pounding action, powerful friendships, and some truly eye-popping technology that will have readers green with envy. Seriously, where can I get some of that " -Gordon Korman, New York Times-bestselling author of Faker

"This is the novel [Lyga was] meant to write." -R.L. Stine, New York Times-bestselling author of Goosebumps and Fear Street

"A thoughtful ― and thought-provoking ― piece of science fiction." -Booklist

"...a thrilling standalone adventure...." -Publishers Weekly

"...impressive world-building." -School Library Journal

School Library Journal, full review: Gr 4-8-Terrifying visions of subway stations flooded by ocean water. A somnambulistic journey to the World Trade Center. Things are definitely getting weirder by the day for Zak Killian, and that's before he uncovers the secret of his twin brother, Tommy, who passed away when they were two. That reveal leads Zak and his best friends Khalid and Moira into an alternate universe where Zak can bring Tommy back to life. Lyga creates a compelling and impressively fleshed out alternate universe; sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian elements feature throughout, from mysterious wild magic to the glowing electroleum power source. A subplot involving the brutal repression of women by means of a legal system very similar to our own slavery adds depth to the comparison of the two worlds. Though upper-middle grade through young adult readers will appreciate these elements, the narrative's success ultimately relies on its compelling adventures and character development. However, it is somewhat disappointing that readers have to wait roughly about 100 pages to cross into the alternate universe proper. VERDICT Though it might start a little slow some for some, this work ultimately delivers the sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian goods and will draw in middle schoolers with its impressive world-building. A strong choice for many young adult and upper-middle grade collections.-Ted McCoy, formerly at Springfield City Library, MA