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Underwater

Marisa Reichardt (Goodreads Author)

4.03 · Rating details · 3,597 ratings · 612 reviews

“Forgiving you will allow me to forgive myself.”

Morgan didn’t mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive—first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then herself.

But Morgan can’t move on. She can’t even ...more

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Hardcover, US, 288 pages

Published January 12th 2016 by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux

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The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

YA Debuts 2016

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· 3,597 ratings · 612 reviews

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Jul 10, 2014 Brooks Benjamin rated it it was amazing

I talk about voice a lot. I tell students and aspiring writers that making theirs unique and personal to them is absolutely essential. I tell myself that I have to keep pushing to improve the one I've already developed in my own stories.

Because voice...it's the blanket we build that the reader wraps themselves in while they read our work.

The voice can be warm and fuzzy.

It can be heavy and soft.

It can be prickly and slightly itchy.

It can be a million different sensations.

One thing I've never eve ...more

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Feb 03, 2016 Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it really liked it

Shelves: pretty-on-the-outside, read-in-2016, teenie-bopper-books, liburrrrrry-book, denied-the-arc

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

On October 15th Morgan’s life changed forever. What she thought was a random act of kindness ended up being anything but and Morgan can’t live with the aftermath . . .

“Why can’t I be happy to be alive instead of afraid of living.”

Now Morgan lives behind the walls of her family’s apartment - never stepping even one foot outside . . .

“Nothing will ever hurt me if I don’t cross the threshold.”

Some days Morgan doesn’t even fe ...more

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Oct 05, 2015 Paula M rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, arc

for more reviews, please visit Her Book Thoughts!

"It turned out I wasn't dying on the outside. I was only dying on the inside, where nobody could see."

Wow. Underwater stunned me! This is the first 2016 book that I read for this year and boy what a good choice! This debut novel deserves to be in your to read list people, but don't make it stay there for too long. In fact, after reading my review, I highly suggest that you pick this book up immediately and get to reading.

Morgan doesn't go outside for more reviews, please visit Her Book Thoughts!

"It turned out I wasn't dying on the outside. I was only dying on the inside, where nobody could see."

Wow. Underwater stunned me! This is the first 2016 book that I read for this year and boy what a good choice! This debut novel deserves to be in your to read list people, but don't make it stay there for too long. In fact, after reading my review, I highly suggest that you pick this book up immediately and get to reading.

Morgan doesn't go outside anymore. She study online, she meets with her therapist at her house and she only talks with her mother and her brother. Any other interaction besides that gets her nervous and gives her panic attack. There's a reason behind why Morgan turned out to be this way. You see, she's not used to be like that. But an incident that she witnessed changed everything.

There's a lot to be praised about Underwater but I'll start with the author's vivid and lyrical writing. It's impossible to read this book without the words tugging your heartstrings. Every emotion that Morgan feels are easily rolling off through the pages and you can't help but feel with her. Her sadness, anxiety, excitement and of course, especially her joy. Throughout the whole book I feel like Morgan was just a close friend, and she's telling me her story. And I'm savoring each word.

We can all agree that the plot has been done before. I have read some already. In fact, the concept is not at all new. And like I say everytime, I admire the authors who writes realistic fictions such as this. But what makes Underwater stands out? Underwater doesn't shy away with every issue that a person like Morgan encounters. This novel is raw and real. Every character is alive and will affects you in their own ways. But the most important thing that Underwater have is that it makes you aware. It makes you think! What if you're in the position of Morgans mother? What if you have a friend just like Morgan? What if you're in Morgan's shoes?

There was a romance aspect in this novel as well but its not really the main point of the story. The guy didn't save Morgan, she saved herself. She didn't save herself for the guy either. She did it for herself. And that's what's important to me.

A powerful and mesmerizing novel. That's what Underwater is. There are A LOT of books coming out this year and I'm sure your TBR is already stuffed. But this book is not something you want to miss. Underwater is important, real and provocative. I can't wait to hear more of Marisa Reichardts contribution in the YA table. ...more

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May 26, 2016 Aj the Ravenous Reader rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, physically-owned-books, mental-health, somebody-s-sick, easy-read, young-adult

It makes me sad to have to say this but nowadays, a book with a major character dealing with the aftermaths of a high school shooting is a very necessary read and Underwater is that exact book. I wish our society didn’t need this. Parents shouldn’t have to fear for their children every time they went to school but every day, they worry and it breaks my heart to think of how we have to live this way. I know the root cause hasn’t been addressed yet especially in the U.S and I’m not sure if it ever ...more

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Dec 22, 2015 Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ rated it really liked it

Recommended to Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ by: Laurie Flynn

Shelves: my-favorite-covers, could-read-over-and-over-again, unforgettable-male-leads

1. Breathe
2. You are okay.
3. You are not dying.

Probably my newest and most shocking addiction, book genre wise, is realistic fiction. It might be a surprise to some people who don’t know how neurotic I am (cough, everyone knows, cough) that there was a time before GR (B.GR.) I didn’t like books that made me feel too heavy or weighed down. I still, admittedly, don’t like to feel depressed while reading because it is supposed to be an escape, but my views have changed almost comple ...more

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Sep 05, 2015 Sarah Elizabeth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-edelweiss, mental-health-problem, r2r-read, read-2016, as, read-with-abbie, romance, contemporary, young-adult, death

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley.)

“I wish you thought about me more than a little,” he says. “I think about you more than a little.”

This was an interesting story about a girl dealing with PTSD after an event at her high school.

I felt quite sorry for Morgan in this story, as what had happened wasn’t her fault, but she felt guilty anyway for what she felt was her part in the incident. It seemed qui ...more

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Apr 10, 2016 April (Aprilius Maximus) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: anxiety

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book!
I loved this book because I could relate so much to the main character, not the traumatic experience, but the anxiety and agoraphobia that she developed. So many things had me nodding my head in agreement. I loved the cute little romance that happened throughout and how supportive they both were and they were just so good for each other BUT he was only really supportive and good for her towards the end. It took him a while t ...more

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May 01, 2016 Karla rated it really liked it

Re read October 2019

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Aug 09, 2014 S.M. Parker rated it it was amazing

I was lucky enough to get my hands on this stunning debut and I cannot say enough about the power of this novel. The MC deals with anxiety and PTSD and this trauma-induced illness forces her to shut herself inside a small California apartment. But there is nothing gloomy about this novel. Morgan, our heroic MC, has so much depth and competence throughout her story and remains connected to the deepest love for her little brother and mother. The little brother, incidentally, jumps off the page wit I was lucky enough to get my hands on this stunning debut and I cannot say enough about the power of this novel. The MC deals with anxiety and PTSD and this trauma-induced illness forces her to shut herself inside a small California apartment. But there is nothing gloomy about this novel. Morgan, our heroic MC, has so much depth and competence throughout her story and remains connected to the deepest love for her little brother and mother. The little brother, incidentally, jumps off the page with his boyish charm and innocence, which is contextualized within his own struggle to accept their family’s shifted reality. The microcosm in this apartment is filled with enough hope and support to keep the reader cheering for the main character’s recovery. Step by step.

The ease of this author’s language lulls you into Morgan’s world, her story, her struggle. The writing is never heavy-handed. And the anxiety and mental illness born of a traumatic event? It is handled with such authentic expertise that I know readers will easily be able to identify with Morgan. With all her strengths and weaknesses. They will see themselves reflected in her insights, fears, needs. She is real. She is flawed. She is complex and gorgeous in her complexity. And she embodies strength in every literal step she takes toward defining how she can live in the outside world.

There is also a love interest, and Evan couldn’t be more amazing. He’s as easy as a California beach day, accepts Morgan for who she is and meets her there without ever forcing her to move outside her comfort zone. Plus, he’s hilarious and swoony and smart—and also quiet when he needs to be. What I found most compelling about the love interest was that he was never the catalyst for Morgan’s recovery, a solution a less competent writer could have easily woven into the storyline. Instead, Evan’s acceptance and patience allows Morgan the physical and mental space she needs to recover. Is she lured to the California beach air? It’s sand? His abs? The water she craves? Yes. And this tension lives throughout the story. But Morgan must decide if this journey beyond her anxiety is one that she wants to take for herself. Not for a boy. Not forced for another. This is an honest read about a teen girl struggling with the crippling effects of anxiety and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these pages. It’s hard to imagine a YA fan that wouldn’t.
...more

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Aug 29, 2015 Marci Curtis rated it it was amazing

I AM SO BLOWN AWAY.

I don't even know where to start....

Okay, this. THIS: read this book. It's so beautifully written and so relevant and so important right now.

JUST READ IT, M'KAY??! ...more

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Nov 02, 2014 Janet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-ya-bookshelf, favorites, exciting-debuts-2016, 2016-debut-books

LYRICAL, SPARE, AND RICH, all at the same time.
Debut author Marisa Reichardt has written a beautiful, honest, heart-ripping novel.
It's been a long time since I a book pulled me back into what it truly feels like to be sixteen. This novel did that.

It would've been easy for an author to allow Morgan--the main character--to wander into pathetic territory, after what all she's been through. But with Reichardt's deft handling, watching Morgan brave it out as she overcomes obstacles and finds her way ...more

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Mar 01, 2015 Shannon (It Starts At Midnight) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, read-for-review, swimming-books

3.5
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight

Is it weird that I connected to Morgan first as a swimmer? I mean, I was hooked from that point on, because swimming. Not that it was what the book was about, but apparently I feel camaraderie with all swimmers, even fictional ones. And then you add in the (what I assume would be classified as) agoraphobia she's suffering from due to trauma, and yeah, sold.

There are two things about this book that I loved best: Morgan's journey, an

3.5
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight

There are two things about this book that I loved best: Morgan's journey, and Morgan's relationship with her family.

It's hard to get into Morgan's whole process because basically, I don't plan on spoiling stuff. She works with a counselor to help her overcome the things in her life that are keeping her quite literally trapped inside her small apartment bubble. The outside world is too scary, too unknown, and Morgan just can't face it. So her therapist comes to her. I loved that Brenda (the therapist) was so willing to think outside the box and treat Morgan however she had to. They had a good patient-counselor relationship, and I found Brenda's responses and actions to be appropriate and well presented, which is absolutely essential for me in a book with mental health representation. The only people Morgan ever physically encounters outside of Brenda are her mom, her little brother Ben, and Evan, the guy who just moved into her apartment complex.

Morgan's family is just amazing. Her mom loves her so much, and the best part was that Morgan loved her mom right back. She referenced several times in the book that her mom's opinions were so important to her- as were Ben's. You could tell how fiercely she loved that little boy, and it made my heart swell.

And I can't even tell you the best moment of the book for me, because it would be ten different kinds of spoilery, but it gave me so many feels at once... oh my goodness. There are a lot of really sweet moments throughout, and a lot of really somber and tense ones too, but that is what gives it such a realistic feeling! Her family was so supportive, but they also got frustrated, just like anyone would. And Morgan learned so, so much about herself and others during the book- it was quite the journey indeed.

So book was perfect?

Ah, not quite, my darlings. First, I felt like the "mystery" was a bit... overdone. I didn't know why it was a mystery, frankly. Or at least, why some of it was. Also, I don't know how exactly to explain the other parts without spoiling stuff. Such a quandary. You people always read the spoiler tags even if I say not to but... I guess you're mature enough to decide for yourselves. I will leave them as non-spoilery as a spoiler tag can be, but if you haven't read the book....

(view spoiler)

Bottom Line

Aside from those few small things, this was a really solid book. It was a combination of emotions, which is always a win, and I loved the focus on family. Morgan's struggles were portrayed quite well, and she was definitely a character to root for.

**Copy provided by publisher for review

...more

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Nov 10, 2014 Laurie Flynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-contemporary, sweet-sixteens

UNDERWATER is the story of Morgan, a high school student who hasn't forgiven herself for the role she thinks she played in a horrible tragedy. Morgan literally can't move on—she is confined to her apartment, too afraid to venture beyond the front door. She takes online courses and has lost touch with her former friends. She has stopped swimming, which used to be her passion. But when newcomer Evan moves in next door and reminds Morgan of everything she used to love, she starts to wonder if she's UNDERWATER is the story of Morgan, a high school student who hasn't forgiven herself for the role she thinks she played in a horrible tragedy. Morgan literally can't move on—she is confined to her apartment, too afraid to venture beyond the front door. She takes online courses and has lost touch with her former friends. She has stopped swimming, which used to be her passion. But when newcomer Evan moves in next door and reminds Morgan of everything she used to love, she starts to wonder if she's capable of living again—really living—and letting go of her debilitating fear.

UNDERWATER is the story of a girl dealing with the aftermath of something terrifying, something nobody should ever have to go through. It's the story of a family that has unraveled. It's about forgiveness and acceptance and grief and confessions and truth. And it's so stunningly real. Every page, every sentence, every word is authentic. This book made me hold my breath. This book made my heart hurt. This book made my eyes widen. This book made me compulsively turn pages. The words were alternately claws digging into me, sirens in my ears, weight on my chest, tears in my eyes. What Morgan felt, I felt. I spent a lot of this book hurting because she was hurting so badly. As an author, making readers care about a character that intensely is not easy to do. This is a testament to Marisa Reichardt's jaw-dropping talent.

As devastating as this book is, there is also so much hope infused in the pages. It's the kind of hope that feels slippery and out of reach at times, and that makes it real. There are different levels of hope and strength and they're intertwined. Sometimes they're twisted up in a knot but if they can get out of that knot, they can both become lifelines. When the book starts, Morgan is too scared to step onto her welcome mat. But as the story goes on, she gets stronger in so many ways. You'll cheer for every inch of her progress. If you're like me, you might cheer out loud and startle the Chihuahua sleeping on your lap.

Marisa's prose is piercing. It's a storm and a lullaby. The scope of her skill as an author is enormous and I'm still in awe. She has the rare ability to write the kind of voice that not just fully absorbs a reader, but fills the reader up. Her talent is both jaw-dropping and inspiring.

This is a book I need to read again. (Good thing I preordered months ago!) This is a book everyone needs to read. This is a book that has imprinted itself on my heart.
...more

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Feb 04, 2015 Michelle Andreani rated it it was amazing

I will be totally honest: I read this a few weeks ago, but I've been too intimidated to review it. That's how deeply I felt it, how special and important I believe this book is.

All of Morgan's setbacks and triumphs dug so far into my heart; it was incredibly hard to let go of this story at the end. You know when you just want good things for someone? That's what I felt for Morgan and Ben and Evan and everyone in this book. And Marisa Reichardt's words are written with such a quiet and lyrical c ...more

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Feb 03, 2015 Shea Olsen rated it it was amazing

READ THIS BOOK!

This book is poetry and laughter and stunning, lyrical truths. I didn't want to leave Morgan's world when I finished this book. I felt so attached to her that I didn't want to let her go.
Marisa Reichardt has written a powerful and moving story that stirs in my thoughts even now, weeks after I finished it.

You won't be able to put this book down, so carve out several days of your life to dedicate to UNDERWATER, you won't regret it! ...more

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Sep 05, 2015 Kels rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, romance, favorites, worth-a-reread, realistic-fiction, page-turner, easy-read, good-read, highly-recommend, books-that-linger

Why can't I be happy to be alive instead of afraid of living?

If you're in between books or looking for your next great read, I highly suggest picking this novel up. I've been in such a massive reading slump lately, but this book shook me right out of it. It managed to hold my attention from start to finish, and quite honestly for a debut novel to tackle such heavy and important topics, Underwater completely took me by surprise and stunned me.

Marisa Reichardt's writing is artfully balanced. Her prose is compelling, sharp, and tightly woven. Even though I wasn't able to read this in one sitting--busy, busy week for me--I was still able to fly through reading this because it was so easy on the eyes, and incredibly hard to put down. The pacing does seem to fall a little on the slow side at first, but now looking back I see that it is steadied and consistent. It never once dragged for me, nor was I ever bored, but it does take its time building up the characters in a way I can most certainly appreciate. It moves along unhurried and I think that made such a huge difference in how I was able to identify with the main character, Morgan.

Speaking of Morgan, I was actually quite surprised at just how much I was able to relate to her and connect with her extreme fear of the outside world. Agoraphobia is one of those fears that I just never really understood how it could be so crippling and panic-inducing, (I mean, there are lots of ways to die at home, you know? Reason #79 as to why I could never be a psychologist.) but the author did such an excellent job of putting Morgan's trauma into a perspective that I could easily make sense of. Reading this book helped me to understand how one moment, one event can change everything about you. It can alter your perceptions. It can place a seed of fear inside you that, that without proper help, can grow out of control and trample you to the ground. I get that now. And I'm so much better because of it.

There's also a strong focus on family, which of course I loved. Morgan's family didn't fade into the background. They were there by her side through her hiccups, her breakdowns, and her triumphs. They were supportive and encouraging and gave her the extra push she sometimes needed. But they also existed with problems of their own. You see the toll that Morgan's illness takes on her mom and brother. You understand her mother's exhaustion when she comes home from a hard day of laborious work and still have to work to keep her family together. You get that her brother has a hard time understanding what's going on. And as a bonus, you see that depression and trauma manifests in many forms through her father, who also needs help to combat demons of his own.

There's also a romance and let's face it, it's of the insta-love variety. But I didn't mind it so much because it doesn't at all overwhelm the plot in my opinion, and was such a sweet addition. In fact, I think it actually added to the story by showing the importance of Morgan moving forward by reconnecting with not just past friendships but also engaging in new and intimate ones. And okay, maybe the book could have done without it by just allowing Evan and Morgan to blossom as friends, but I still swooned over Evan like it was nobody's business. ;)

Underwater is a quiet, heartfelt debut novel about overcoming fear and moving forward through life's setbacks, rediscovering yourself when you fall apart, and learning how to forgive others while also learning the importance of forgiving yourself. More people should be talking about this book. There's a lot of depth to this novel and Marisa Reichardt tackles some very tough topics with an ease that is wholly impressive and feels honest and unforced.

Underwater isn't a perfect novel, but it deserves every last one of these five stars I'm giving it. It's a moving and realistic portrayal of trauma, and although it's a short, quick read it packs quite a punch.

...more

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May 11, 2015 Peach rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, amazing-moms, young-adult, dreamy-boys, whoa, 2016-releases, the-bestest-friends, realistic-fiction, from-publisher

Magic. Absolute magic.

I feel like my review won't do this masterpiece justice. Maybe that's why I've taken so long to finally do so. I am so fond of the cover and the UK version, too. Have you seen it? Have you?

YESSSSSS. YESSSSSS.

I could brag about the covers of 2016 YA for hours, believe me. But before this becomes a giant discussion post, instead, let's fangirl over Underwater.

Morgan has it good. She's surrounded by a lovely troupe of friends and takes great joy in swimming. But after play ...more

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Jun 07, 2015 Colette rated it it was amazing

One of my favorite YA contemporaries EVER! This emotionally gripping story has readers laughing one second and in tears the next. Fans of John Green books should definitely pick up Underwater! Watch out YA Fiction world, Underwater is going to capture readers of all ages and become a best-seller in minutes! Overall 5/5 stars; if this book isn't already on your to-read list, add it ASAP! ...more

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May 30, 2016 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-2016, debut-author, netgalley, contemporary-fiction, favorites, young-adult, reviewed-iin-2016, open-ending, authors-to-watch, best-of-2016

Underwater, Marisa Reichardt’s wonderful debut, is a book about the debilitating depths of fear and the stunning power of courageous hope. It begs to be read in one sitting and commands to be felt deeply. Underwater is a story about Morgan, a 16-year-old girl suffering from agoraphobia after a traumatic event. Morgan hasn’t left the house in months – she attends school online, has her own little rituals while her family is away and she meets her pro bono therapist in her own living room. Even th
Underwater, Marisa Reichardt’s wonderful debut, is a book about the debilitating depths of fear and the stunning power of courageous hope. It begs to be read in one sitting and commands to be felt deeply. Underwater is a story about Morgan, a 16-year-old girl suffering from agoraphobia after a traumatic event. Morgan hasn’t left the house in months – she attends school online, has her own little rituals while her family is away and she meets her pro bono therapist in her own living room. Even the thought of going outside makes her panic until the right motivation comes along.

When I talk about motivation, I want it to be clear that Evan, the boy that moves in next door, isn’t some easy fix for her illness. I was afraid of that approach when I first read the description, but Reichardt was very careful not to make it seem superficial and easy. She gave Morgan time to heal on her own. Morgan was pushed by her desire to spend time with Evan, but there were so many steps she needed to take first and all of them had very little to do with him.

Morgan’s issues aren’t the only thing she faces in this book. Her father struggles with mental illness and alcoholism after many tours in Afghanistan. Morgan doesn’t understand how her father could abandon his family. She can’t forgive him for time lost and for choosing to be homeless rather than live with them. This was, perhaps, the most genuine, honest part of the book. I love that Morgan had to go through her own condition and disappointments in order to better understand her dad. Their (non)relationship was done exceptionally well and I admire Marisa Reichardt for approaching the subject so tactfully. Once again, no easy fixes were offered because such things simply don’t exist in life, but one could take away a strong message of hope even with the open ending and issues that were left unresolved.

I love Reichardt’s style mostly because it’s understated. She knows how to convey genuine emotions without resorting to cheap tear-jerkers. The things she introduced in Underwater are some of the biggest open wounds of modern society and yet they were done sensitively and thoughtfully. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

...more

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Feb 01, 2015 Julie Eshbaugh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: the-sweet-16s

UNDERWATER is about the process of healing, and the powerful way our connectedness can influence that process. The central story is about a girl recovering from a terrible trauma, but there are so many other stories here, too, and they all weave together so beautifully. That's the way this book felt to me... woven like a tapestry, with relationships binding everything together. There were scenes that felt like snapshots--vivid and alive like snapshots from my own family's albums. So many moments ...more

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Sep 23, 2016 Asghar Abbas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: green-rain

Under the water, you can't breathe, you can't breathe. So says Aurora. Though I may catch flak from the Creature from the North herself for quoting her whilst listening to Warpaint's new album Heads up.

Under the water, you can't breathe, you can't breathe.

But.

This is a story about a girl who breathes underwater. It's the only place she feels safe, in fact, it is the only place she can breathe, you see?

It's strange, as it often is with strange beauty and stranger things. It is odd, I have been g ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Danielle (Love at First Page) rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-young-adult, arc, contemporary, own-no-copy, read-in-2015

3 stars

Disclaimer: these three star reviews are so pesky, because I think readers (including myself) automatically associate them with negativity. That's really not the case for me! Three stars is a generally positive rating, but it can also mean a lot of different things. It's a book that's good but not special. It's a book that I'm glad I read but probably won't re-read. It's a book that did not meet the high expectations I set for it, despite being an overall enjoyable read. Or, as is the cas
3 stars

Disclaimer: these three star reviews are so pesky, because I think readers (including myself) automatically associate them with negativity. That's really not the case for me! Three stars is a generally positive rating, but it can also mean a lot of different things. It's a book that's good but not special. It's a book that I'm glad I read but probably won't re-read. It's a book that did not meet the high expectations I set for it, despite being an overall enjoyable read. Or, as is the case with Underwater, it's a book that had, quite simply, a mix of elements that worked for me and those that didn't.

Now that I got that out of the way, I can certainly see why so many early reviews have gushed about it. The story is very, very timely for what's going in the United States today. It's relevant, and this type of plot line will always hold that sort of haunting feeling. I'm being purposely vague because it takes Morgan, our main character, a little while to reveal exactly what happened to her. Which is actually one of the reasons I struggled with the book, especially in the beginning. I even wanted to put it down for good at one point, because I was not connecting to Morgan at all, and the writing style was definitely something I had to get used to. I wasn't a fan of her narration. But - and this is for readers who want to give up early on like I did - pushing through to the why of the situation is ultimately rewarding. I felt really bad at first because the aftermath of what Morgan is going through - her anxiety, her guilt - is horrible, yet I felt very distanced from her. Her agoraphobia felt like a plot device. I hate to say it, but I couldn't help but think the book a poor man's Everything, Everything.

But like I said, the book did improve for me, and I thought Morgan's growth and healing, especially in regards to her tricky relationship with her dad, was very well done. I love that there was a strong theme of family, and that the one person Morgan thought she could never understand or forgive is someone she learned from, by way of his own mistakes and because she was mature enough to see her own situation reflected in his. She does a lot of growing up in this book, and even though some of the situations toward the end seemed too contrived, that at least was handled with more complexity. I do wish the romance had been stronger. The love interest is bland and uninspiring and I couldn't get into their relationship in the slightest. Which, knowing me, is a bummer.

With all the glowing reviews out there, I wish I could have liked Underwater more, but I'm glad that at least in the second half I was finally able to connect to the story and sympathize more with Morgan. It's definitely a book that would be great for a book club, with lots of potential for discussion. I will be reading more reviews of it, for sure!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review can also be found at Love at First Page. ...more

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Nov 02, 2015 Emily rated it it was amazing

Edited to add: I find it a little heartbreaking that I don't hear about this book more often. Maybe it, like so many quiet books, got a little lost in the shuffle of 2016, but in my opinion, it's extraordinary. The writing is pure and exquisite and the emotional arc is so nuanced and masterful. If you liked The First Time She Drowned, give this a read. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

A beautiful, heartfelt, purifying read. This inspired me in so many ways. If you're dealing with anxiety or ...more

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Feb 27, 2015 Lois Sepahban rated it it was amazing

I was lucky to read an advanced copy of UNDERWATER.

I love all of the characters--Morgan, Evan, Ben, Brenda, Taylor. Each has a unique story in this novel and the way their stories are woven together makes for a beautiful novel.

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Sep 22, 2014 Ashley Blake rated it it was amazing

This book radiates a quiet strength. Completely lovely and redemptive and hopeful and Morgan Grant is a total badass.

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Nov 22, 2016 Laura rated it really liked it

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt surprised me.

I’ve been in a MAJOR book slump these past couple of weeks. I kept falling out of books around the 50 page mark or less. Now let me take a minute to say that I don’t consider the books that I left unfinished bad books. I will likely try them again in the future. These slumps are all me. That said though—I do consider the book that eventually puts the kibosh on my slump extraordinary. It has to be to break through all the static interfering with my conc ...more

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Sep 23, 2014 Rachel (APCB Reviews) added it

Shelves: 2016-debuts, 2016-releases

This is one of those books that has the ability to make you tear up in one page and grin madly in the next. I love how much this book embraces the message of living your life to the fullest. The writing is wonderful, the quirks are adorable, the romance is cute! This book has dark aspects yet perfectly matches it with light and happiness. I'd definitely recommend this one!

Read the full review @ A Perfection Called Books

I'm very choosy about contemporary reads. I tend to gravitate towards the lig This is one of those books that has the ability to make you tear up in one page and grin madly in the next. I love how much this book embraces the message of living your life to the fullest. The writing is wonderful, the quirks are adorable, the romance is cute! This book has dark aspects yet perfectly matches it with light and happiness. I'd definitely recommend this one!

Read the full review @ A Perfection Called Books

I'm very choosy about contemporary reads. I tend to gravitate towards the lighter ones but whenever I do find a good book that deals with grief, loss, and tragedy, I try to take as many of the impactful lessons to heart as I can.

I really liked the characters and relationships in this book. A tragedy at school affects Morgan so deeply that she confines herself to her apartment, too frightened of the outside world to consider leaving. She struggles to recover from her PTSD, anxiety, and guilt, and we see Morgan battle her way back to her former self and life. Morgan has such a quirky personality, which I love about her. Her honesty and determination to get better make her such an admirable protagonist. I was rooting for her the whole time.

Evan, her new next-door neighbor really helps Morgan along the way to recovery. He's so understanding and sweet, and I love their dialogues. The romance was pretty cute and kept on the side. I appreciate that it didn't overshadow the plot nor did the romance resemble the "solution" to all of Morgan's problems. Besides their friendship and eventual relationship, I loved Morgan's family. Her little brother, Ben, is so adorable and inadvertently helps Morgan's progress.

Underwater is a special book for so many reasons. The writing is simply flawless. I love how the writing perfectly captures the mood of the story. The pacing is quick, and the story is absorbing from the beginning to the end. The tragedy of the story is revealed to us in small parts throughout the story, and I thought that worked really well in the novel. Morgan's character growth throughout is astounding. I loved seeing her will and progression advance. The messages in this story are well portrayed and well executed. I deeply enjoyed all this book had to offer!

I felt Underwater was a great book, yet it didn't really stand out as a favorite book. The ending was cute yet too picture-perfect. So for that reason and my simply wanting a bit more, I think I'd give this book a four out of five stars. ...more

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Jan 17, 2015 Kali Wallace rated it it was amazing

Marisa Reichardt's UNDERWATER is a truly lovely book. It's the story of Morgan, a teenage girl who becomes agoraphobic due to PTSD in the aftermath a school shooting, and her journey toward healing. Morgan is a wonderful character, believable and sympathetic, and she is surrounded by characters who all feel every bit as real: her mother and adorable little brother, the cute new neighbor, her wonderful therapist, and more. I especially appreciated that the adults are drawn every bit as well as th ...more

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Sep 28, 2015 Claire (Book Blog Bird) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, romance

Underwater is the story of Morgan, a seventeen year old girl suffering from PTSD and anxiety after surviving a tragedy at her high school. All the other survivors seem to be getting their lives back together, but Morgan can’t seem to move on. She spends her days cooped up in the apartment she shares with her mum and brother until some new neighbours move in next door who might just give her the push she needs to reconnect with the outside world.

I have to say, I really loved this book. It drew me Underwater is the story of Morgan, a seventeen year old girl suffering from PTSD and anxiety after surviving a tragedy at her high school. All the other survivors seem to be getting their lives back together, but Morgan can’t seem to move on. She spends her days cooped up in the apartment she shares with her mum and brother until some new neighbours move in next door who might just give her the push she needs to reconnect with the outside world.

I have to say, I really loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the heart-warming ending.

The first thing that struck me about Underwater was the author’s style of writing. It’s kind of sparse with short sentences, not flowery or purple-prosey at all and the vocabulary is uncomplicated. And yet the author manages to use exactly the right word in every situation so that the reader gets a fantastic sense of place and really feels what Morgan is going through.

Considering Morgan spends the majority of the book shut away in her apartment, there are a surprising number of strands to this story. On the one hand we have the way she attempts to deal with her current situation and her fears for the future, but the story also delves into the past - both into the events of last year in her high school, and also into her childhood and her relationship with her father.

And the characters. All of them were well-written and well-rounded with plenty of dimensions and flaws and merits. I loved the relationships between them all and how they all suffered with their guilt

There is some romance in this, but it’s not overpowering. When Evan was initially introduced I offered up a silent prayer to the goddess of YA novels that the author hadn’t included him to ‘fix’ Morgan. To facilitate her recovery in a way that she wouldn’t have been able to manage by herself. He doesn’t. Instead he offers her his support and affection and allows her to grow and recover on her own terms.

Plus, he’s super hot.

I mean, obviously his hotness is irrelevant, it’s all about the personality, blah blah blah. But still. It doesn’t hurt when you’re reading a book and silently perving all over the leading guy. Adds to a book’s unputdownable factor.

Okay, so it’s now October and I’m starting to think about which books have been particularly awesome this year in preparation for my end of year review. I’ve got to say, it’s looking like this book is going to definitely make the top ten, possibly even top five. And bearing in mind this is the 143rd book I’ve read since January, that’s actually something of an accomplishment.

I received a copy of Underwater in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Macmillan Children’s Books and Netgalley.
...more

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Apr 05, 2015 Erin Dunn rated it really liked it

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me to read and review an ebook copy of Underwater by Marisa Reichardt.

Underwater is about a girl named Morgan who after a tragedy has become an agoraphobe. She feels like she is underwater and she can't move on. She does school at home online and makes grilled cheese and tomato soup every day for lunch. But when a new neighbor, Evan, moves in next door he makes her want to go out of the house and do the things that she ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA fiction about teenage girl who survives a school shooting & suffers mental trauma. She drove the shooter to school that day? [s]	7	32	Jun 05, 2020 08:14AM
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Fiction, something about 'water', 'swimming' or 'float' in the title, about a girl who heals after going through a school shooting. [s]	3	24	Mar 04, 2020 12:19PM
Book review Lily O'Shea	1	2	Nov 23, 2017 07:51PM
Crazy for Young A...: Underwater by Marisa Reichardt → Start Date: February 14th, 2016	12	18	Feb 22, 2016 09:08PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Underwater by Marisa Reichardt- Starting Janaury 7th 2016	16	15	Jan 07, 2016 09:00AM

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About Marisa Reichardt

Marisa Reichardt

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Marisa Reichardt is the critically acclaimed author of the YA novels UNDERWATER, AFTERSHOCKS (2020), and A SHOT AT NORMAL (2021). She has a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California and dual degrees in English & American Literature and Creative Writing from UC San Diego. Before becoming a published author, Marisa worked in academic publications, tutored high ...more