Lees Reef is set in the year 102,021 off the east coast of Australia, which is predominately covered in water due to climate change and the rising of sea levels. The oceans are acidic, with massive rubbish rafts that float in the currents and eddy back towards what land is left exposed.
Land and sea animals have hybridised and live in a pristine environment called Lees Reef. These unique animals live in symbiosis, all with important tasks to protect their world, while Rogues, aggressive creatures that roam the ocean currents, constantly attack the reef in order to live there.
The reef occupants battle to decipher a mysterious human message that keeps getting sent to them as well as constant attacks by Rogues.
Willy Womtle and his friends set out to decipher the message with the help of Rogues who use advanced human technology. Willy wants a few Rogues to come and live at Lees Reef, as they can decipher the human messages, but will his father the Mayor and the other residents allow this to happen?
Lee Porter has spent many hours underwater and has a love for both land and sea animals, understanding the symbiosis that makes these unique hybridized animals come alive. Lee has a Master's of Creative Arts and an imagination that can take readers on a journey to the future.
This book has great illustrations. Lee Porter creates interesting hybrid characters. However, politics and human lore took a lot from the potential of the story. I enjoyed the description of the reef and animals. I would have enjoyed a story that did not include humans, politics, or trash, which most likely wouldn't exist after 100,000 years.