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No Safe Water: Post-Apocalyptic Disaster Saga of an American Family Surviving a World-Changing Algae Bloom
No one saw it coming. One day, the rivers flowed. The next, they were poison.
For Hazel Northrup, it’s the day she escapes the only world she’s ever known—a fanatical water-worshipping cult deep in the Oregon wilderness. With her little brother in tow, she flees into a dying world, vowing to keep him safe from both the toxic wasteland and the ruthless men hunting them.
Miles away, a remote research team discovers something far worse than water that kills. Stranded and grieving, scientist Emily, survivalist Bash, and their last remaining colleague make a desperate bid to escape the forest—only to collide with Hazel and Caleb.
Forced into an uneasy alliance, the group must navigate a world unravelling by the hour. Wildfires rage. Disease spreads. And the cult, still hoarding clean water, is rising as a brutal new power.
With supplies dwindling and the last safe haven miles away, survival isn’t guaranteed.
The further they go, the clearer it this isn’t just a disaster. It’s a collapse.
For Hazel Northrup, it’s the day she escapes the only world she’s ever known—a fanatical water-worshipping cult deep in the Oregon wilderness. With her little brother in tow, she flees into a dying world, vowing to keep him safe from both the toxic wasteland and the ruthless men hunting them.
Miles away, a remote research team discovers something far worse than water that kills. Stranded and grieving, scientist Emily, survivalist Bash, and their last remaining colleague make a desperate bid to escape the forest—only to collide with Hazel and Caleb.
Forced into an uneasy alliance, the group must navigate a world unravelling by the hour. Wildfires rage. Disease spreads. And the cult, still hoarding clean water, is rising as a brutal new power.
With supplies dwindling and the last safe haven miles away, survival isn’t guaranteed.
The further they go, the clearer it this isn’t just a disaster. It’s a collapse.
- GenresDystopia
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2025
159 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 31, 2025
The cover sort of draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters depicted on it. It awakens your curiosity as to what the characters are looking at and what trials they are enduring as this is a post-apocalyptic book.
The book is told in three parts, there are chapters at the beginning, then volume 1 & 2.
There are four main groups of characters, there’s Hazel & Caleb escaping from Wellspring, the scientists Emily, Frank and Sam and their wilderness guide Bash collecting rock samples. Then there’s the addition of the rather conniving and volatile Prophet Saul & his Wellspringers who want to keep their followers and will go to extreme lengths to get them back. The final group of people are the National Guard who you would think would be a helpful source for all but it seems that its “every man for himself”
The book begins with an almost 18 year old Hazel and her younger brother 8 year old Caleb have lived at Wellspring as long as they can remember. Wellspring is a commune, though as the book goes on, we come to realise that it is much more like a cult. The leader is Prophet Saul, he rules everything and leads all the Wellspringers to worship the water that protects them and can cure them of anything. When girls reach the age of 18, they are married to a man chosen by the Prophet. It has been arranged that Hazel will marry the prophet’s nephew Hank; a man much older than her. When she marries her brother Caleb will be taken away from her and placed in another household, as she should not have any distractions from her husband and creating a family with him. Hazel has no choice in the matter and anyone that answers back in anyway about anything is severely punished until they toe the line. It’s no wonder Hazel wants to escape and take her brother Caleb away from this restricted lifestyle and the regular beatings if you step out of line. Though the thing is Hazel would probably put up with it all if she wasn’t going to be separated from Caleb whom she has brought up like a mother since their parents died. They escape, scared at every step they will be caught and knowing that when it is discovered that they are missing, Prophet Saul will send men after them and if caught they will be forced back to Wellspring where they will both face harsh punishment. Hazel’s plan is to forage, live off the land until she is officially 18 and then go to the nearest town for help. For Hazel evading discovery until she is 18 is of the upmost importance, as once she is 18, she is an adult no one will be able to take Caleb away from her.
The other main group of characters in the book are Frank, Sam, Emily who are scientists studying rocks in the area & collecting samples to take back look at further. Bash is their wilderness guide helping them navigate the terrain in a safe and respectful way. They are having quite a good trip collecting suitable samples until Frank suddenly becomes ill and dies.
Unfortunately, this is the first sign of the deadly algae bloom. The algae bloom contaminates most of the fresh water which immediately complicates everything. The scientists realise how dire the situation is when Frank dies after drinking the contaminated water.
It’s because of the upheaval of the algae bloom that pushes Hazel & Caleb and the scientists & Bash together. The group ends up being whittled down for various reasons and then its just Hazel, Caleb, Bash and Emily. Left alone I think they could have a happy existence at the cabin, sadly when outsiders literally turn up at the door, one with an infection, they are forced to help. Unfortunately, their kindness is soon forgotten when they are betrayed, with their supplies stolen and then again later when their whereabouts are revealed to both Prophet Saul and his followers and the National guard. Both are interested in having access and possession of the clean water source and of course the Prophet wants his “lost sheep” back.
Favourite characters were, Hazel, the protective sister/mother who is not even officially an adult yet. Hazel may be beaten down by the ways and rules of Wellspring but she has an inner strength and will do anything at all to protect her brother Caleb, who is himself a cute, lovable character who wants to look after his sister. Both Hazel and Caleb are naïve to the world outside of Wellspring which is both endearing for the reader yet dangerous for the character!
I immediately adored the quieter, perhaps brusque, observant gentle giant wilderness guide Bash. He watches and listens and though he may know the right way of doing something or getting somewhere he will listen to the other’s opinions. I enjoyed the growing friendship between Bash & Caleb, though Bash had to earn the trust of Hazel to get anywhere near her brother. Bash is used to racial prejudice and being considered “different” due to having a tough start in life and being adopted and going through the foster system, being bullied, lack of people to care for him, and lack of care from those supposed to care for him. He knows from personal experience what it is like to distrust every one, even adults util they have proven themselves to you. Bash works hard, and slowly to obtain first the trust of Hazel and then that of Caleb too.
I really enjoyed the book and felt pulled into it quite quickly. The book felt fast paced and I seriously did not want to put it down! Of course I am routing for Hazel, Caleb, Bash & Emily, the good guys of this post-apocalyptic world. I enjoyed the foraging references and the morals of foraging about leaving enough behind for the growth cycle to continue.
The relationships change as the characters learn to trust each other with Bash and Emily becoming role models for Hazel & Caleb. With Bash and Emily around, Hazel gets to be a young girl again and have a little freedom and time to herself to work out what she wants for her own future. Bash and Emily become quite parent like allows Hazel to become more like a fun sister rather than the constant authority figure of mother to Caleb.
I enjoyed the aspect of the algae bloom being the thing that turned the world post-apocalyptic. You really don’t realise how something contaminating the water could affect so much. I felt like I learnt a few things from survival skills to how the fresh water being contaminated meant that the rain was too.
My immediate thoughts were great characters and plot!
Summing up, I enjoyed the element of the cult and Hazel running away from it, their reasons for doing so and their ideas for their future lives. I found the algae bloom component to the story fascinating too. I found the plot realistic with the inevitable deaths that occurred in the book. I certainly became attached to the characters and am looking forward to reading more!
The book is told in three parts, there are chapters at the beginning, then volume 1 & 2.
There are four main groups of characters, there’s Hazel & Caleb escaping from Wellspring, the scientists Emily, Frank and Sam and their wilderness guide Bash collecting rock samples. Then there’s the addition of the rather conniving and volatile Prophet Saul & his Wellspringers who want to keep their followers and will go to extreme lengths to get them back. The final group of people are the National Guard who you would think would be a helpful source for all but it seems that its “every man for himself”
The book begins with an almost 18 year old Hazel and her younger brother 8 year old Caleb have lived at Wellspring as long as they can remember. Wellspring is a commune, though as the book goes on, we come to realise that it is much more like a cult. The leader is Prophet Saul, he rules everything and leads all the Wellspringers to worship the water that protects them and can cure them of anything. When girls reach the age of 18, they are married to a man chosen by the Prophet. It has been arranged that Hazel will marry the prophet’s nephew Hank; a man much older than her. When she marries her brother Caleb will be taken away from her and placed in another household, as she should not have any distractions from her husband and creating a family with him. Hazel has no choice in the matter and anyone that answers back in anyway about anything is severely punished until they toe the line. It’s no wonder Hazel wants to escape and take her brother Caleb away from this restricted lifestyle and the regular beatings if you step out of line. Though the thing is Hazel would probably put up with it all if she wasn’t going to be separated from Caleb whom she has brought up like a mother since their parents died. They escape, scared at every step they will be caught and knowing that when it is discovered that they are missing, Prophet Saul will send men after them and if caught they will be forced back to Wellspring where they will both face harsh punishment. Hazel’s plan is to forage, live off the land until she is officially 18 and then go to the nearest town for help. For Hazel evading discovery until she is 18 is of the upmost importance, as once she is 18, she is an adult no one will be able to take Caleb away from her.
The other main group of characters in the book are Frank, Sam, Emily who are scientists studying rocks in the area & collecting samples to take back look at further. Bash is their wilderness guide helping them navigate the terrain in a safe and respectful way. They are having quite a good trip collecting suitable samples until Frank suddenly becomes ill and dies.
Unfortunately, this is the first sign of the deadly algae bloom. The algae bloom contaminates most of the fresh water which immediately complicates everything. The scientists realise how dire the situation is when Frank dies after drinking the contaminated water.
It’s because of the upheaval of the algae bloom that pushes Hazel & Caleb and the scientists & Bash together. The group ends up being whittled down for various reasons and then its just Hazel, Caleb, Bash and Emily. Left alone I think they could have a happy existence at the cabin, sadly when outsiders literally turn up at the door, one with an infection, they are forced to help. Unfortunately, their kindness is soon forgotten when they are betrayed, with their supplies stolen and then again later when their whereabouts are revealed to both Prophet Saul and his followers and the National guard. Both are interested in having access and possession of the clean water source and of course the Prophet wants his “lost sheep” back.
Favourite characters were, Hazel, the protective sister/mother who is not even officially an adult yet. Hazel may be beaten down by the ways and rules of Wellspring but she has an inner strength and will do anything at all to protect her brother Caleb, who is himself a cute, lovable character who wants to look after his sister. Both Hazel and Caleb are naïve to the world outside of Wellspring which is both endearing for the reader yet dangerous for the character!
I immediately adored the quieter, perhaps brusque, observant gentle giant wilderness guide Bash. He watches and listens and though he may know the right way of doing something or getting somewhere he will listen to the other’s opinions. I enjoyed the growing friendship between Bash & Caleb, though Bash had to earn the trust of Hazel to get anywhere near her brother. Bash is used to racial prejudice and being considered “different” due to having a tough start in life and being adopted and going through the foster system, being bullied, lack of people to care for him, and lack of care from those supposed to care for him. He knows from personal experience what it is like to distrust every one, even adults util they have proven themselves to you. Bash works hard, and slowly to obtain first the trust of Hazel and then that of Caleb too.
I really enjoyed the book and felt pulled into it quite quickly. The book felt fast paced and I seriously did not want to put it down! Of course I am routing for Hazel, Caleb, Bash & Emily, the good guys of this post-apocalyptic world. I enjoyed the foraging references and the morals of foraging about leaving enough behind for the growth cycle to continue.
The relationships change as the characters learn to trust each other with Bash and Emily becoming role models for Hazel & Caleb. With Bash and Emily around, Hazel gets to be a young girl again and have a little freedom and time to herself to work out what she wants for her own future. Bash and Emily become quite parent like allows Hazel to become more like a fun sister rather than the constant authority figure of mother to Caleb.
I enjoyed the aspect of the algae bloom being the thing that turned the world post-apocalyptic. You really don’t realise how something contaminating the water could affect so much. I felt like I learnt a few things from survival skills to how the fresh water being contaminated meant that the rain was too.
My immediate thoughts were great characters and plot!
Summing up, I enjoyed the element of the cult and Hazel running away from it, their reasons for doing so and their ideas for their future lives. I found the algae bloom component to the story fascinating too. I found the plot realistic with the inevitable deaths that occurred in the book. I certainly became attached to the characters and am looking forward to reading more!
January 24, 2025
Grace Hamilton is one of my favorite authors and the Toxic Tides series is another hit!
Quick note: the ARC copy I read had the books in reverse order, a bit confusing and frustrating at first, but worth taking the time to figure it out.
Toxic Tides is the story of Hazel and her young brother Caleb as they escape an abusive cult where they grew up. Hazel is about to turn 18 and be forced to marry a cruel man and be separated from her younger brother, who she has raised since their parents died. After her escape, she meets up with a group of geologists on a trail hike with a guide. It is discovered that a toxic algae bloom has poisoned all of the local water affecting both humans and animals and killing them within 10 minutes of ingestion.
The book series follows Hazel and her new friends as they adventure in the wilderness of Southeastern Oregon trying to find safe water, respite from the dangers of the environment and the cult trying to get them back at any cost.
The book is clean of bad language or overly descriptive scenes, suitable for teens and young adults as well as mature adults. One recurring theme throughout the book is learning to trust; a child trusting adults, adults trusting children, somebody who has suffered abuse learning to trust anyone else in general. There's a lot of good, common sense survival tidbits that I hope to never have to use.
The three book compendium is an easy read, I think my Kindle told me it would take me 14 hours to read, but I'm pretty sure I finished it in less than that, even considering the confusion at the start figuring out the book order.
Overall, I think Grace Hamilton has another hit series!
Genre(s): fiction, dystopian, survival, disaster, prepper, outdoors, natural
Bad Language: none
Intimate Scenes/Reference: mild for kissing, reference to sleeping together, no details
Violence: mild, nothing gorey, nothing graphic
Substance Abuse: none
Mental Health: anger and trust issues
Addiction: none.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quick note: the ARC copy I read had the books in reverse order, a bit confusing and frustrating at first, but worth taking the time to figure it out.
Toxic Tides is the story of Hazel and her young brother Caleb as they escape an abusive cult where they grew up. Hazel is about to turn 18 and be forced to marry a cruel man and be separated from her younger brother, who she has raised since their parents died. After her escape, she meets up with a group of geologists on a trail hike with a guide. It is discovered that a toxic algae bloom has poisoned all of the local water affecting both humans and animals and killing them within 10 minutes of ingestion.
The book series follows Hazel and her new friends as they adventure in the wilderness of Southeastern Oregon trying to find safe water, respite from the dangers of the environment and the cult trying to get them back at any cost.
The book is clean of bad language or overly descriptive scenes, suitable for teens and young adults as well as mature adults. One recurring theme throughout the book is learning to trust; a child trusting adults, adults trusting children, somebody who has suffered abuse learning to trust anyone else in general. There's a lot of good, common sense survival tidbits that I hope to never have to use.
The three book compendium is an easy read, I think my Kindle told me it would take me 14 hours to read, but I'm pretty sure I finished it in less than that, even considering the confusion at the start figuring out the book order.
Overall, I think Grace Hamilton has another hit series!
Genre(s): fiction, dystopian, survival, disaster, prepper, outdoors, natural
Bad Language: none
Intimate Scenes/Reference: mild for kissing, reference to sleeping together, no details
Violence: mild, nothing gorey, nothing graphic
Substance Abuse: none
Mental Health: anger and trust issues
Addiction: none.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2025
really struggled to finish this one
Normally I love a good post apocalyptic disaster, and the more details, the better, imo. However, this book was the exception. At almost a 1000 pages, it droned on & on giving way too many useless details, while the characters made one terrible decision after another…. And don’t get me started on the plot holes. for instance, they have a sat phone, but only attempt 2-3 semi-local calls before giving up & never mentioning it again? And laughably, They want to set home alone style booby traps at the cabin, but bees were the best they could do? Not to mention how much time they wasted at every single turn. I ended up skimming the last 300 or so pages just to get through it, but even that was a struggle.
Overall, I found it boring and frustrating & would not recommend, but that’s just my subjective opinion, others might enjoy it.
Normally I love a good post apocalyptic disaster, and the more details, the better, imo. However, this book was the exception. At almost a 1000 pages, it droned on & on giving way too many useless details, while the characters made one terrible decision after another…. And don’t get me started on the plot holes. for instance, they have a sat phone, but only attempt 2-3 semi-local calls before giving up & never mentioning it again? And laughably, They want to set home alone style booby traps at the cabin, but bees were the best they could do? Not to mention how much time they wasted at every single turn. I ended up skimming the last 300 or so pages just to get through it, but even that was a struggle.
Overall, I found it boring and frustrating & would not recommend, but that’s just my subjective opinion, others might enjoy it.
March 17, 2025
This book has the disaster of an algae bloom take over a corner of the world the characters are living in, causing apocalyptic conditions to those who have survived events so far. One set is a group of geologists who were studying basalt rock formations as part of a geological survey, Emily and Sam are accompanied by their wilderness guide Bash. They have just lost another of their party Frank, who died within ten minutes of drinking some water from a nearby stream, even after using his purification tablets, whilst Bash had been fine. But his water bottle had an additional straw filter that seems to have saved him from the same fate. They are three days away from their pickup location in the Malheur National Forest and their satellite phone has been broken in a fall, with only Hazel having any power left in her mobile phone, but not much. They realise something is wrong with the water supply but have no idea what it is and no way of testing for any issues. They only have the water left on them, to make it to the pickup point and hope the issue has not spread. The other set are brother and sister, Caleb (8) and Hazel, who is ten days away from her eighteenth birthday and her forced marriage to a much older elder of The Wellspring, Hank, who refused to allow her brother to be part of their family once they married. Caleb would instead be sent to live with one of his brothers, who was even more cruel. That was the sticking point for Hazel and pushed her to finally decide to take her brother and escape one night from the commune. Their leader of this cult was self-proclaimed Prophet Saul, who ran the commune with a strict hand and handed out punishments widely. He was proud that no one had ever left The Wellspring, those that had left were soon dragged back and punished harshly, being left broken. Hazel had no intention of going back and wanted to reach civilisation for a life with more independence and no forced marriage. They had almost run out of water and were excited when they finally heard the sound of running water and raced towards it.
Just as Hazel was about to approach the water’s edge with her waterskin, a woman’s voice cried out for her to stay away from the water. The pine marten she had just seen acting weirdly, was a sign of the issues with the water. The three adults that come out of the woods are not from Wellspring thankfully, but that doesn’t mean Hazel will trust hem, as she has been brought up believing that all outsiders are sinners and dangerous! Bash, Emily and Sam have met up with Hazel and Caleb but are suspicious of what they are doing out in the woods alone! Hazel is more worried about Prophet Saul sending people after them and decides to leave the trio of hikers and geologists during the night, so they can’t hand them over to the authorities when they reach town. Bash and his geologists make it to their pickup point, but there is no one waiting for them and using the last of Emily’s phone charge to reach their office, gives them the bad news of the water problem having spread wider than first thought. Reaching the road to town, a pickup truck drives straight at them, the driver already ill and warning not to go to the nearest town, as it isn’t safe, before dying! The three have to make another choice and Bash suggests they travel to his private cabin out in the wilds, where at least he has a satellite phone and supplies, plus a well for water, that will hopefully be safe like the water at Wellspring. Bash teaches Caleb how to set snares and this ends up with Caleb taking in an injured baby raccoon, caught on their traps, naming it Mr Tubs! His sister isn’t happy to see him with a wild animal as a pet, but it wouldn’t survive on its own, and Caleb is upset thinking she might want to put it down. Trouble isn’t something they can avoid as others start to get desperate and they come across a camp full of the dead and clear signs someone killed them and stole everything they could! Meeting a group of National Guards, they think they are finally safe, but it doesn’t go peacefully, and they are soon disadvantaged by the National Guards actions. They now have an even more difficult trek to make in their efforts to get to Bash’s cabin before their water runs out!
An unexpected downpour is just as dangerous as the water supply from streams and rivers and leaves them struggling even more, as they have to hunker down with limited supplies. Even getting to the cabin doesn’t mean they are safe, as Emily must try and test the water first and another storm hits soon after they arrive, felling a tree and causing danger even inside the cabin. The danger of strangers is soon proven once more, as a small family unit arrive near the cabin and need help. Emily refuses to turn them away without any assistance and soon learns they have escaped from Wellspring, where they had first asked for help. Bash and Hazel aren’t happy to help them, knowing their own supplies are not going to least ages, but Emily’s wish to treat them as she would like to be treated, is the one that wins out. It will soon come back to bite them, after the mother of the unit allows herself to get increasingly angrier about their treatment and they end up back at Wellspring and reveal everything they learnt, as well as leaving the group without supplies. Caleb has become increasingly close to Bash, which worries Hazel a lot, as she finds it much harder to trust any outsiders, even if they have helped them so far. Now they have come back from a hunting and foraging trip to find an intruder by their well head. The bad news is that it is someone Hazel knows well from Wellspring, in fact the old man she was supposed to marry. They can’t let him go home and tell the Prophet where Hazel and Caleb are, but Hazel knows he will not have come alone! Bash’s cabin may no longer be the safe haven they once hoped. Their supplies were decimated and now they may be hunted by the Prophet, who wants his lost sheep returned to his flock, and also the National Guard who lost some of their men when they last came across Bash and Emily. Hazel doesn’t trust Hank to do anything to help them as they leave the cabin for a supposed safe waystation, and she knows him much better than the others do and carries the scars to show it. She is turning angry at every delay he puts on them and starts to act differently than even Caleb expects, scaring him somewhat and making her not what she had been becoming once outside of Wellspring. A face off will soon have to happen with Hank, the Prophet Saul himself, and his faithful followers, against Hazel, Bash, Emily and Caleb, who are outgunned and off balance. Cutting the head off the snake may well be the only way this small group of survivors will ever find peace and be free to find a safe place to live. Lovely ending showing where the small quartet end up and can begin to focus on a more realistic lifestyle and progress in peace and safety.
A realistic environmental issue that could have life ending consequences, adding in a cult with strict guidelines for its inhabitants and zero freedom for the young women within. A reflection of much going on in the world today and the struggles that go on with the strongest picking on the weak. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Just as Hazel was about to approach the water’s edge with her waterskin, a woman’s voice cried out for her to stay away from the water. The pine marten she had just seen acting weirdly, was a sign of the issues with the water. The three adults that come out of the woods are not from Wellspring thankfully, but that doesn’t mean Hazel will trust hem, as she has been brought up believing that all outsiders are sinners and dangerous! Bash, Emily and Sam have met up with Hazel and Caleb but are suspicious of what they are doing out in the woods alone! Hazel is more worried about Prophet Saul sending people after them and decides to leave the trio of hikers and geologists during the night, so they can’t hand them over to the authorities when they reach town. Bash and his geologists make it to their pickup point, but there is no one waiting for them and using the last of Emily’s phone charge to reach their office, gives them the bad news of the water problem having spread wider than first thought. Reaching the road to town, a pickup truck drives straight at them, the driver already ill and warning not to go to the nearest town, as it isn’t safe, before dying! The three have to make another choice and Bash suggests they travel to his private cabin out in the wilds, where at least he has a satellite phone and supplies, plus a well for water, that will hopefully be safe like the water at Wellspring. Bash teaches Caleb how to set snares and this ends up with Caleb taking in an injured baby raccoon, caught on their traps, naming it Mr Tubs! His sister isn’t happy to see him with a wild animal as a pet, but it wouldn’t survive on its own, and Caleb is upset thinking she might want to put it down. Trouble isn’t something they can avoid as others start to get desperate and they come across a camp full of the dead and clear signs someone killed them and stole everything they could! Meeting a group of National Guards, they think they are finally safe, but it doesn’t go peacefully, and they are soon disadvantaged by the National Guards actions. They now have an even more difficult trek to make in their efforts to get to Bash’s cabin before their water runs out!
An unexpected downpour is just as dangerous as the water supply from streams and rivers and leaves them struggling even more, as they have to hunker down with limited supplies. Even getting to the cabin doesn’t mean they are safe, as Emily must try and test the water first and another storm hits soon after they arrive, felling a tree and causing danger even inside the cabin. The danger of strangers is soon proven once more, as a small family unit arrive near the cabin and need help. Emily refuses to turn them away without any assistance and soon learns they have escaped from Wellspring, where they had first asked for help. Bash and Hazel aren’t happy to help them, knowing their own supplies are not going to least ages, but Emily’s wish to treat them as she would like to be treated, is the one that wins out. It will soon come back to bite them, after the mother of the unit allows herself to get increasingly angrier about their treatment and they end up back at Wellspring and reveal everything they learnt, as well as leaving the group without supplies. Caleb has become increasingly close to Bash, which worries Hazel a lot, as she finds it much harder to trust any outsiders, even if they have helped them so far. Now they have come back from a hunting and foraging trip to find an intruder by their well head. The bad news is that it is someone Hazel knows well from Wellspring, in fact the old man she was supposed to marry. They can’t let him go home and tell the Prophet where Hazel and Caleb are, but Hazel knows he will not have come alone! Bash’s cabin may no longer be the safe haven they once hoped. Their supplies were decimated and now they may be hunted by the Prophet, who wants his lost sheep returned to his flock, and also the National Guard who lost some of their men when they last came across Bash and Emily. Hazel doesn’t trust Hank to do anything to help them as they leave the cabin for a supposed safe waystation, and she knows him much better than the others do and carries the scars to show it. She is turning angry at every delay he puts on them and starts to act differently than even Caleb expects, scaring him somewhat and making her not what she had been becoming once outside of Wellspring. A face off will soon have to happen with Hank, the Prophet Saul himself, and his faithful followers, against Hazel, Bash, Emily and Caleb, who are outgunned and off balance. Cutting the head off the snake may well be the only way this small group of survivors will ever find peace and be free to find a safe place to live. Lovely ending showing where the small quartet end up and can begin to focus on a more realistic lifestyle and progress in peace and safety.
A realistic environmental issue that could have life ending consequences, adding in a cult with strict guidelines for its inhabitants and zero freedom for the young women within. A reflection of much going on in the world today and the struggles that go on with the strongest picking on the weak. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 26, 2025
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5
Emily and Sam are scientists, currently in the wilderness, with guide Bash leading them through remote areas that they want to study. They encounter eighteen year old Hazel and her younger brother, Caleb, who don't seem at all prepared for walking in the remote woodlands.
At about the same time that they meet the young siblings, Emily, Sam, and Bash make a very startling discovery - all the local water - from streams to ponds - are poisoned. Some strange, killer algae has appeared in the water and it's killing everything that drinks it. Suddenly this hike in the wilderness has turned into a fight for survival!
The adult trio convince the siblings to stay with them so that they can look for water to survive and the try to get more information from the odd youngsters. It turns out that Hazel and Caleb have just run away from a camp of cultists that was planning to marry Hazel to an older man and send Caleb away to live with a different family. But Hazel refuses to let anyone separate her from Caleb. But running away from cultists poses another problem for the three adults as they don't know who might be searching for them.
An encounter with a group of National Guardists, who, by their willingness to take anything they want, confirm Bash's worsts fears - this lack of water is wide-spread and people are now forming groups to protect themselves. And even worse news comes when they learn (through other hikers) that the National Guard have teamed up with the cultists (because the cultists have a safe well of drinking water).
A search for the runaway kids and an all-out war for water puts Bash (who has taken on the roll of protector) in the crosshairs of too many dangerous men.
This book was so very nearly a DNF for me. And I've only once ever had a DNF book.
The book, which sits at nearly 1000 pages, is broken down into three parts which equates to three decent-length books and in the reading, these do break down, plot-wise, into three separate stories. Authors Riley miller & Grace Hamilton do make this quite seamless and into one very long novel.
My near-DNF came early in the book, maybe half way through the first part. While it's understandable that Hazel and Caleb would be pretty clueless in just about everything, given that they were raised very sheltered in a cult, our adult characters were not only absolutely brilliant in absolutely every single subject, they were CONSTANTLY explaining and teaching and and providing lessons. It was exhausting and annoying. I truly was going to quit because of this. I didn't think I could take another 800 pages of this kind of dialog.
I stuck with it because I checked the Goodreads page and the ratings were generally high so I figured it must get better (or the authors have a lot of friends). Humorously enough, even the authors must have caught on to what was happening and, instead of rewriting, had Hazel comment "Does he always have to be teaching?" shortly after I was about to give up. (Chapter Five was the most offensive in this manner.)
The book does get better with more excitement and energy and less didacticism, but there are things that just keep this from being a book that's easy to recommend. Things like someone saying "be careful not to touch anything that feels damp". Really? Read that slowly and think about it for a second. And that Pollyanna go-get-'em attitude when someone says
"Maybe we could weave ourselves some hats."
(...) "I don't know how to do that, (...) but I bet we could figure it out. We just need some willow!"
But maybe the strangest part of this book is that from the moment we meet Hazel and Caleb, we're told that the cult leader (of course they don't use the term cult) is Saul and how he's going to track them down until they are returned. But we don't meet Saul, until 2/3 of the way through the book. It definitely gives off the vibe that this was decided to be the final book's story arc even though he didn't play much part in the book other than as a faceless figure.
Despite being intelligent - enough to constantly be teaching and knowing about everything, the people in this book make a lot of bad decisions, over and over - you know, like the people who decide to hide from the serial killer in the cemetery kind of decisions.
The book is told from different POVs - each character, even our bad guys, get chapters for their insight. This shifting POV did not bother me, in fact it was used well.
Overall, while it got better and the ending was quite exciting, I can't recommend this. If you absolutely love dystopian type fiction and just can't get enough, then give this a shot. It's definitely got those vibes. But for most of us...? I think not.
Looking for a good book? The 3-in-1 dystopian tome, Toxic Tides, by Riley Miller and Grace Hamilton goes on much too long. The interesting and exciting parts of the book - and there are some - are overshadowed by the extraneous detail.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Emily and Sam are scientists, currently in the wilderness, with guide Bash leading them through remote areas that they want to study. They encounter eighteen year old Hazel and her younger brother, Caleb, who don't seem at all prepared for walking in the remote woodlands.
At about the same time that they meet the young siblings, Emily, Sam, and Bash make a very startling discovery - all the local water - from streams to ponds - are poisoned. Some strange, killer algae has appeared in the water and it's killing everything that drinks it. Suddenly this hike in the wilderness has turned into a fight for survival!
The adult trio convince the siblings to stay with them so that they can look for water to survive and the try to get more information from the odd youngsters. It turns out that Hazel and Caleb have just run away from a camp of cultists that was planning to marry Hazel to an older man and send Caleb away to live with a different family. But Hazel refuses to let anyone separate her from Caleb. But running away from cultists poses another problem for the three adults as they don't know who might be searching for them.
An encounter with a group of National Guardists, who, by their willingness to take anything they want, confirm Bash's worsts fears - this lack of water is wide-spread and people are now forming groups to protect themselves. And even worse news comes when they learn (through other hikers) that the National Guard have teamed up with the cultists (because the cultists have a safe well of drinking water).
A search for the runaway kids and an all-out war for water puts Bash (who has taken on the roll of protector) in the crosshairs of too many dangerous men.
This book was so very nearly a DNF for me. And I've only once ever had a DNF book.
The book, which sits at nearly 1000 pages, is broken down into three parts which equates to three decent-length books and in the reading, these do break down, plot-wise, into three separate stories. Authors Riley miller & Grace Hamilton do make this quite seamless and into one very long novel.
My near-DNF came early in the book, maybe half way through the first part. While it's understandable that Hazel and Caleb would be pretty clueless in just about everything, given that they were raised very sheltered in a cult, our adult characters were not only absolutely brilliant in absolutely every single subject, they were CONSTANTLY explaining and teaching and and providing lessons. It was exhausting and annoying. I truly was going to quit because of this. I didn't think I could take another 800 pages of this kind of dialog.
I stuck with it because I checked the Goodreads page and the ratings were generally high so I figured it must get better (or the authors have a lot of friends). Humorously enough, even the authors must have caught on to what was happening and, instead of rewriting, had Hazel comment "Does he always have to be teaching?" shortly after I was about to give up. (Chapter Five was the most offensive in this manner.)
The book does get better with more excitement and energy and less didacticism, but there are things that just keep this from being a book that's easy to recommend. Things like someone saying "be careful not to touch anything that feels damp". Really? Read that slowly and think about it for a second. And that Pollyanna go-get-'em attitude when someone says
"Maybe we could weave ourselves some hats."
(...) "I don't know how to do that, (...) but I bet we could figure it out. We just need some willow!"
But maybe the strangest part of this book is that from the moment we meet Hazel and Caleb, we're told that the cult leader (of course they don't use the term cult) is Saul and how he's going to track them down until they are returned. But we don't meet Saul, until 2/3 of the way through the book. It definitely gives off the vibe that this was decided to be the final book's story arc even though he didn't play much part in the book other than as a faceless figure.
Despite being intelligent - enough to constantly be teaching and knowing about everything, the people in this book make a lot of bad decisions, over and over - you know, like the people who decide to hide from the serial killer in the cemetery kind of decisions.
The book is told from different POVs - each character, even our bad guys, get chapters for their insight. This shifting POV did not bother me, in fact it was used well.
Overall, while it got better and the ending was quite exciting, I can't recommend this. If you absolutely love dystopian type fiction and just can't get enough, then give this a shot. It's definitely got those vibes. But for most of us...? I think not.
Looking for a good book? The 3-in-1 dystopian tome, Toxic Tides, by Riley Miller and Grace Hamilton goes on much too long. The interesting and exciting parts of the book - and there are some - are overshadowed by the extraneous detail.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2025
Part I
This is book 1 of the series and it is broken down into three parts. So far in part 1 the stage has been set for what’s happened, at least as far as the scientists, Emily and Sam, can make an educated guess on. It also introduces Caleb and Hazel whom are siblings that have escaped from a cult - which is the only life they have ever known! So far my favorite character is Bash. He was the scientists wilderness guide and so far he has been a lifesaver, although I would say Hazel’s knowledge of the plants and edible items has been keeping them alive. I’m not sure that Sam deserved what happened to him, especially by who, but I’m sure it’s setting the stage for the longer storyline.
Just to note that Part I has 33 chapters in it.
So far, 4 stars!
Part II
Part 2 of book 1 flows seamlessly as Part 1 ends. This section of the book has a lot more action in it and a lot more moving parts. The kids, especially Hazel, are coming out of their shells and are truly a sight to behold as they begin to understand what real friendship and loyalty means and how it will be tested. Bash and Hazel are starting to come together which makes the individuals begin to gel together more as a unit or a family than four individuals. I have to say, the three people that stumbled onto the cabin in need of help - I KNEW they were trouble from the jump! Especially the wife and kid. I have to say though, I NEVER expected the scene with the arm!!
The only scene I found a little confusing was at the end with the National Guard and the group from Wellspring. I didn’t think Hazel would have it in her! That wasn’t the part I had an issue with. It was more that Bash didn’t than she did. I know the sentence doesn’t make any sense but once you read the book, you’ll understand it as I’m trying not to give away any spoilers of any kind.
Part II has 34 chapters in it.
5 stars for this section!
Part III
A fitting way for the four (5 counting the raccoon) to end out the story. I do however feel like there should have been an epilogue of some sort. Like 1 year later, then 5 years later, 10 years etc. How do these four continue their journey into a very different world than what Emily and Bash knew and a completely new world for Hazel and Caleb. There would be so many difficulties that it’s hard to imagine.
Also Emily. By the end of Part II I was getting annoyed at her. By the end of Part III, I was pretty much done with her. She wouldn’t leave how to use a gun even though every one’s lives and safety depending on them being able to protect themselves and each other. And her constant glass half full approach to Hank was unsettling. I really feel like she made Hazel out to be some cray kid who didn’t understand things when Hazel knew EXACTLY who Hank was and who he would always be. Part of the reason the ending happened the way it did is because Emily was the weak one of the group. Eight year old Caleb was stronger than Emily in some aspects (obviously not physically, but you get the point). I’m really don’t feel like Emily was a good match for Bash or the family - almost like, well, she’s here and the best we’ve got! I mean good thing she found a microscope, again, after leaving one behind but sheesh.
Part III has 34 chapters in it.
I’m giving this part 3 stars just because of Emily.
Overall I’d give the book a 4 star rating. Lots going on but with a definite look at the appeal of found family, forgiveness, becoming your own person, and keeping your moral compass.
This is book 1 of the series and it is broken down into three parts. So far in part 1 the stage has been set for what’s happened, at least as far as the scientists, Emily and Sam, can make an educated guess on. It also introduces Caleb and Hazel whom are siblings that have escaped from a cult - which is the only life they have ever known! So far my favorite character is Bash. He was the scientists wilderness guide and so far he has been a lifesaver, although I would say Hazel’s knowledge of the plants and edible items has been keeping them alive. I’m not sure that Sam deserved what happened to him, especially by who, but I’m sure it’s setting the stage for the longer storyline.
Just to note that Part I has 33 chapters in it.
So far, 4 stars!
Part II
Part 2 of book 1 flows seamlessly as Part 1 ends. This section of the book has a lot more action in it and a lot more moving parts. The kids, especially Hazel, are coming out of their shells and are truly a sight to behold as they begin to understand what real friendship and loyalty means and how it will be tested. Bash and Hazel are starting to come together which makes the individuals begin to gel together more as a unit or a family than four individuals. I have to say, the three people that stumbled onto the cabin in need of help - I KNEW they were trouble from the jump! Especially the wife and kid. I have to say though, I NEVER expected the scene with the arm!!
The only scene I found a little confusing was at the end with the National Guard and the group from Wellspring. I didn’t think Hazel would have it in her! That wasn’t the part I had an issue with. It was more that Bash didn’t than she did. I know the sentence doesn’t make any sense but once you read the book, you’ll understand it as I’m trying not to give away any spoilers of any kind.
Part II has 34 chapters in it.
5 stars for this section!
Part III
A fitting way for the four (5 counting the raccoon) to end out the story. I do however feel like there should have been an epilogue of some sort. Like 1 year later, then 5 years later, 10 years etc. How do these four continue their journey into a very different world than what Emily and Bash knew and a completely new world for Hazel and Caleb. There would be so many difficulties that it’s hard to imagine.
Also Emily. By the end of Part II I was getting annoyed at her. By the end of Part III, I was pretty much done with her. She wouldn’t leave how to use a gun even though every one’s lives and safety depending on them being able to protect themselves and each other. And her constant glass half full approach to Hank was unsettling. I really feel like she made Hazel out to be some cray kid who didn’t understand things when Hazel knew EXACTLY who Hank was and who he would always be. Part of the reason the ending happened the way it did is because Emily was the weak one of the group. Eight year old Caleb was stronger than Emily in some aspects (obviously not physically, but you get the point). I’m really don’t feel like Emily was a good match for Bash or the family - almost like, well, she’s here and the best we’ve got! I mean good thing she found a microscope, again, after leaving one behind but sheesh.
Part III has 34 chapters in it.
I’m giving this part 3 stars just because of Emily.
Overall I’d give the book a 4 star rating. Lots going on but with a definite look at the appeal of found family, forgiveness, becoming your own person, and keeping your moral compass.
February 1, 2025
Seventeen-year-old Hazel Northrup and her eight-year-old brother, Caleb, are on the run from Wellspring, a cult that has never let anyone leave. Unfortunately, the day after their escape, the water in the rivers and streams, which they need to survive, turns toxic. Before they can drink the water, they will meet a small group of other people trying to survive. Scientists, Emily and Sam with their wilderness guide, Bash. They quickly realize that the wildlife isn't the greatest danger they face. Between the men from the Wellspring cult and other less than scrupulous individuals they decide to head to the small cabin that Bash owns hoping that the well on his property is deep enough for the water to be safe to drink. With days of travel, and few supplies it will be a race against time to reach their destination. As they travel, they realize the disaster may be more widespread than they imagined.
Wow, what a read! There are many fascinating characters that are so well written that it is easy to understand what motivates them. Some of the characters are absolutely reprehensible. While Hazel, Calem, Emily, and Bash are just doing their best to survive in a world turned upside-down. I was rooting for them throughout this book. I thought this was a terrifying and realistic glimpse into how rapidly a society could break down in the face of and unforeseen natural disaster. Adventure, bloody violence, and so many unexpected and surprising twist in the plot it was nearly impossible to put this, very long, book down. I highly recommend this book to fans of these authors and post-apocalyptic adventures.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book that I received from Hidden Gems.
Wow, what a read! There are many fascinating characters that are so well written that it is easy to understand what motivates them. Some of the characters are absolutely reprehensible. While Hazel, Calem, Emily, and Bash are just doing their best to survive in a world turned upside-down. I was rooting for them throughout this book. I thought this was a terrifying and realistic glimpse into how rapidly a society could break down in the face of and unforeseen natural disaster. Adventure, bloody violence, and so many unexpected and surprising twist in the plot it was nearly impossible to put this, very long, book down. I highly recommend this book to fans of these authors and post-apocalyptic adventures.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book that I received from Hidden Gems.
February 1, 2025
Hazel and Caleb are two orphans that have been being raised at a cult. She is about to be forced to marry one of the leaders of the cult and no longer be able to have her little brother with her. She and her brother escape the cult and use thier survival skills in the forest. But something isn't right in the forest. They need more water and are headed towards a stream when a group of scientists stop them. They explain there is something wrong with the water but they aren't sure what.
It is soon obvious that the water issue is wide-spread. This makes things dangerous for everyone as people become focused on their own survival at all costs. As they travel towards a known well, there are many issues along the way, both natural and man made. Once they reach safety, it is not as it seems and soon they must face pursuit from the cult who want Hazel and Caleb back.
They have many choices to make and difficulties to face. Trust does not come easy and is crucial to their existence. They have many trials to face and will the water ever become clean again?
The scientists, wilderness guide and the orphans all grow, change and resolve a lot of issues. The story moves along with many twists and struggles for them all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It is soon obvious that the water issue is wide-spread. This makes things dangerous for everyone as people become focused on their own survival at all costs. As they travel towards a known well, there are many issues along the way, both natural and man made. Once they reach safety, it is not as it seems and soon they must face pursuit from the cult who want Hazel and Caleb back.
They have many choices to make and difficulties to face. Trust does not come easy and is crucial to their existence. They have many trials to face and will the water ever become clean again?
The scientists, wilderness guide and the orphans all grow, change and resolve a lot of issues. The story moves along with many twists and struggles for them all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2025
Toxic Tides is a very intense and engaging read that caught my attention with the summary. Once I started reading I was hooked I didn’t want to stop reading it but sometimes life gets in the way and gives you no choice. The world created for Toxic Tides was a fascinating read.
The world’s water has been contaminated. Hazel only wants to find a safe place to keep her brother Caleb safe. They escaped a cult, and now the cult is looking for them. Hazel knows she will need help keeping Caleb safe, but she doesn’t trust anyone after living with the Wellspring cult. But what choice does she have?
Hazel and Caleb meet Emily and Bash, two very nice people. They have found a safe haven and made preparations just in case they have to leave quickly if someone from the Wellspring cult finds them.
The world-building in Toxic Tides was wonderfully well done. I loved it. On many occasions, I found myself lost in its world. It was as if I were no longer reading it but seeing it all as if it were real. The descriptions were so well done that I could see it all in my head as if I were watching a movie.
I recommend Toxic Tides to anyone who likes reading end-of-the-world type of stories. Grab a copy of Toxic Tides today!
The world’s water has been contaminated. Hazel only wants to find a safe place to keep her brother Caleb safe. They escaped a cult, and now the cult is looking for them. Hazel knows she will need help keeping Caleb safe, but she doesn’t trust anyone after living with the Wellspring cult. But what choice does she have?
Hazel and Caleb meet Emily and Bash, two very nice people. They have found a safe haven and made preparations just in case they have to leave quickly if someone from the Wellspring cult finds them.
The world-building in Toxic Tides was wonderfully well done. I loved it. On many occasions, I found myself lost in its world. It was as if I were no longer reading it but seeing it all as if it were real. The descriptions were so well done that I could see it all in my head as if I were watching a movie.
I recommend Toxic Tides to anyone who likes reading end-of-the-world type of stories. Grab a copy of Toxic Tides today!
February 8, 2025
TOXIC TIDES is the latest "end of the world as we know it" series from Grace Hamilton and Riley Miller. Hamilton is the author of many apocalyptic series that I have read and enjoyed over the years. She's a reader's favorite because her books are realistic....well, as realistic as fantasy can get.....and they aren't repeats of the last book. Each series is a new exercise in how the world could end. TOXIC TIDES is definitely an original plot that should scare us all. As drought works it's way into every corner of the world, water has become deadly, killing instead of saving. As each character faces the challenges of surviving, they must learn to identify those they can trust and those who would kill them for what they have. This series/book earns another 5 stars, just like the last ones.
February 4, 2025
I would say the best part of this book is the characters. The family members are not all related by blood but have been brought together by the catastrophe that has affected many people. They are four people who all work hard to survive. Hazel is a force of nature who will do anything for her little brother including escaping a violent cult. Emilie and Bash come together and act as a parental unit. It is an interesting story, though not what you would call a page-turner. Some areas could have been said with a lot less words or skipped altogether. I'll end this on a positive note, the raccoon was awesome.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2025
Tides is a phenomenal but realistic dystopian adventure dealing with a poisonous alga which is contaminating the world's water sources. Hazel, age 17, and her 8 year old brother, Caleb, flee the Wellspring cult as they will be separated when she is forced to marry at age 18. They meet and join up with a group of scientists, Emily and Sam, and their wilderness guide, Bash. This exciting book is a contaminated water disaster with well developed characters, unexpected plot twists, a thrilling escape from rogue members of society and a cult, violence, and a chilling adventure. I highly recommend this well written and imaginative novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 14, 2025
Seventeen year old Hazel and her eight year old brother Caleb just escaped from Wellspring a cult that forces marriage when the women turn eighteen. On the run from the cult they meet Scientists Emily and Sam along with their wilderness guide Bash and things take some dangerous and deadly turns. Toxic Tides is a post apocalyptic, dystopian saga with an original storyline, unexpected twists, toxic algae in the water, danger, and well developed characters that bring the story to life. The authors gave us a captivating "it could really happen" scary but realistic scenarios that made this a fabulous read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
February 4, 2025
This was an exercise in brilliant characters combined with awesome world building and an example of the many faces of evil. The struggle to survive blends with the desire to do what’s right, to aid those in need even though they may not appreciate it. The collaboration of Riley Miller and Grace Hamilton provides this wonderful two book set and they deserve applause for the depth and breadth of knowledge, and the understanding of human nature. Brava!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2025
I am back with my favourite authors in this genre but on a totally new plot. This is quite scary as it could happen. I liked the way the characters drew you in straight away and you wanted to find out what was going to happen and how they would resolve it. I liked the different threads - the escaping cult members, the scientists, the wilderness guide, the cult itself and the national guard. In the beginning I wasnt sure what was going to happen and thought I had missed something with the death but it all become apparent.
April 8, 2025
Found family
I really enjoyed this book .Got a bit frustrated with some of the characters who couldn't accept the brutality of the new normal.but understood that there would be some people like that in an apocalypse. I loved the fact that this was one big omnibus narrative not broken up into separate books. I would however have enjoyed a few more chapters at the end dealing with how they coped with their new circumstances. I already follow Grace Hamilton so gave Riley Miller a follow.
I really enjoyed this book .Got a bit frustrated with some of the characters who couldn't accept the brutality of the new normal.but understood that there would be some people like that in an apocalypse. I loved the fact that this was one big omnibus narrative not broken up into separate books. I would however have enjoyed a few more chapters at the end dealing with how they coped with their new circumstances. I already follow Grace Hamilton so gave Riley Miller a follow.
June 6, 2025
I really was enjoying the first part of this book.
I was really enjoying the first part of this book, the algae bloom was a unique perspective for post apocalyptic disaster book.
And the pace was fast enough not to be boring.
But the more chapters I read, the more I hated the character named Hazel. She was beyond annoying to the point where it was too much to enjoy the book. So I ended up skimming the last several chapters.
I liked Bash and Emily but they couldn’t help me look past the annoyance that was Hazel.
I was really enjoying the first part of this book, the algae bloom was a unique perspective for post apocalyptic disaster book.
And the pace was fast enough not to be boring.
But the more chapters I read, the more I hated the character named Hazel. She was beyond annoying to the point where it was too much to enjoy the book. So I ended up skimming the last several chapters.
I liked Bash and Emily but they couldn’t help me look past the annoyance that was Hazel.
August 24, 2025
"No Safe Water: Post-Apocalyptic Disaster Saga of an American Family Surviving a World-Changing Algae Bloom" kicks off the series with a bang. Riley Miller and Grace Hamilton team up to offer a fascinating exploration of a transforming world and the turmoil that ensues after a devastating event. It's a world where true friends are rare. Intense, gripping, thought-provoking, and occasionally, hauntingly dark.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 2, 2025
This book is honestly such a good read for anyone out there who likes the apocalyptic genre such as myself. I liked how different it is with the algae bloom especially since it is something that is becoming more concerning in the real world! It adds an element of realism and in all honesty, kept me on my toes! Then add in a cult into the mix? Oh you’re in for a wild ride! I definitely recommend reading Toxic Tides!
I was given an ARC of Toxic Tides (by Grace Hamilton) from Relay Publishing.
I was given an ARC of Toxic Tides (by Grace Hamilton) from Relay Publishing.
February 5, 2025
I really enjoyed Toxic Tides. Right from the beginning I was drawn into the story about Hazel and her little brother Caleb and their escape from Wellspring. Along the way they meet up with Bash, Emily and Sam. Continuing their travels the group face danger from Wellspring and also a toxic algae that is poisoning the waterways. It all makes for a thrilling and exciting read and I can definitely recommend it as a great story that you won't want to put down.
January 30, 2025
An algae bloom has damaged most of the world and she refuses to become their leader new wife. She will take her younger brother to find a new place to live but she will need help. They will also want a new life and they will join up to find it. See just how they all get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I really enjoyed their tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I really enjoyed their tale
February 6, 2025
Grace Hamilton has done it again. This is another great example of a post-apocalyptic thriller that will find you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to be fully invested in the characters and their survival!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 1, 2025
I did enjoy this massive adventure! A really good read, so much going on in the plot, some very scary moments, good action & adventure as well as good ideas. There is quite a bit of angst I found but overall a really great adventure to get completely carried away by! Good stuff!
February 4, 2025
It was a really nice, suspenceful read that keeps you going and immerses you in a world of what ifs. I mean, could you survive?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2025
I did not really like this book. It did not appeal to my tastes. I still love this authors books though just some of them dont hit right.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2025
I've read a lot of books written by Grace Hamilton & Riley Miller; they are some of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of their books.
This is the three-book collection of the Toxic Tides Series; the story begins in the first book and continues through to the third.
This is the three-book collection of the Toxic Tides Series; the story begins in the first book and continues through to the third.
April 7, 2025
A great story that examines human priorities when faced with apocalyptic catastrophe. A slow burn with a good balance of action and character development. A little predictable in the story but great twists in the details!
April 20, 2025
an absolute must read
This is a great book. It is an absolute must read. Algae attack, cult, dystopian, and survival are all included in this book that is not easy to put down. This book is over 900 pages of action packed reading. Get it, read it, and you will not regret it.
This is a great book. It is an absolute must read. Algae attack, cult, dystopian, and survival are all included in this book that is not easy to put down. This book is over 900 pages of action packed reading. Get it, read it, and you will not regret it.
February 18, 2025
Good characters and plot. Not your typical apocalypse type plot. This focuses more on the characters than the scourge. Easy reading.
March 26, 2025
who doesn’t enjoy a good end-of-the-world scenario? said no one ever 🙃 … jump into this world of twists and turns and see whether or not you’d survive
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