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Tsunami Blue
No Safe Harbor — With her badass rain boots, her faithful dog, and the ability to predict the monster tsunamis that have reduced the US to a series of islands, Kathryn O'Malley isn't afraid of much. Cut off from all society, she takes to the airwaves as Tsunami Blue, hoping to save something of humanity as the world around her crumbles. But Blue should be afraid - because her message reaches the wrong ears.
Now she's the target of ruthless pirates known as Runners who want to use her special talents for their own profiteering - as soon as they can find her. Blue's only shot at survival lies with the naked stranger who washes up on her rocky beach. A man who might just be working for Runners himself. Torn between suspicion and attraction, the two will have to navigate a surging tide of danger and deceit if they hope to stay alive.
Now she's the target of ruthless pirates known as Runners who want to use her special talents for their own profiteering - as soon as they can find her. Blue's only shot at survival lies with the naked stranger who washes up on her rocky beach. A man who might just be working for Runners himself. Torn between suspicion and attraction, the two will have to navigate a surging tide of danger and deceit if they hope to stay alive.
290 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2010
17 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Ann Williams
9 books42 followersI was a reader long before I became a writer. I read as often as I can, many times I have three or four books going at once, I know! Crazy. But I just LOVE a great story. I look forward to "seeing" what others are reading and adding to my ever growing stack. My idea of a perfect world? Reading and writing all day. While drinking coffee. Oh. And eating dark chocolate. ;) Hope to see you all as I travel around the goodreads universe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 11, 2010
This book is addictive. It is one of those books where the action is non-stop and you feel like you are on a non-stop wave yourself (yes I did really just write that). I could not put the book down. Before I knew it, I was done with the book and then I was stumped. There were some story holes that weren't filled. hmmm, I even went back to see if I missed those small gaps in the story. Nope, I didn't. Oh well, it still was a great, fun read and hopefully there will be a book 2!
April 14, 2010
Tsunami Blue was a terrific mixture of action, fun, and romance with a looming sense of forbidding lingering in the background while you read. It was a definite page turner, with heroine Tsunami Blue's snarky wit filling up the pages as she tries to figure out if she can trust super, sexy (and I do mean super sexy *fans self*) Gabriel Black, a runner who washes up on on her lone island. And I'm always a sucker for any story that includes a pet, like Blue's dog Max, because it makes the story a little more real for me with the emotions a pet can invoke. The villains here are the crazy scary kind, you know the ones that you can always expect the very worse from.
The romance here was drawn out in a very tantalizing way, I give Ms. Williams kudos for that. I was anticipating the couples coming together in an on-edge-of-my-seat sort of way.
The ending was the only part of the story that keeps me from giving this a 5 star rating. The ending was just okay for me, I didn't feel it measured up to the rest of the book.
I know I'll be keeping my eye out for any novels Gayle Ann Williams comes out with in the future; I really enjoyed her writing style.
The romance here was drawn out in a very tantalizing way, I give Ms. Williams kudos for that. I was anticipating the couples coming together in an on-edge-of-my-seat sort of way.
The ending was the only part of the story that keeps me from giving this a 5 star rating. The ending was just okay for me, I didn't feel it measured up to the rest of the book.
I know I'll be keeping my eye out for any novels Gayle Ann Williams comes out with in the future; I really enjoyed her writing style.
September 18, 2020
In 2023 the world is destroyed by tsunami's breaking all the continents into a series of islands. The tsunamis are extremely violent, strong, and unpredictable. Kathryn, AKA Tsunami Blue, can predict them (the ocean talks to her). Runners (pirates) are after her for her ability. She lives in hiding (or so she thinks). One day, she rescues a stranger (Gabriel) on her beach.
I was disappointed in this one. I didn't "get" the romance- how can you be with someone and not trust them? Blue calling Gabriel "tough guy" all the time too- this was just annoying. I thought Gabriel could have shared much sooner too. This just wasn't for me.
I read this for Romance-opoly The Vault sun track
I was disappointed in this one. I didn't "get" the romance- how can you be with someone and not trust them? Blue calling Gabriel "tough guy" all the time too- this was just annoying. I thought Gabriel could have shared much sooner too. This just wasn't for me.
I read this for Romance-opoly The Vault sun track
April 7, 2010
Why I read: Received for review from the publisher.
Favorite Quote: First, the shower did make me feel better, and second, the tighty whities were just fine. Okay. More than fine. What that man could do for a pair of underwear. Wow.
Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley is living in a world where water rules. When she was five, a tsunami struck Thailand, devastating the area and killing her family. But the water has not stopped. Wave after wave has decimated the world. There is no infrastructure, currency, stores. Everything is underwater or just gone. She was raised by her uncle Seamus, a violent man who belonged to a group of people called Runners, very violent gang pirates that have taken to the seas to ravish and loot. Although Seamus was blood thirsty and anything but a good guardian, he taught Blue how to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Blue has a power of her own though, one that scares many and one that makes her a very valuable catch – if anyone can find her. The ocean speaks to her. It whispers on the waves and warns her when another tsunami is coming. She listens and interprets, then takes her shortwave radio equipment and broadcasts it as best she can so people have a chance to survive. Many are skeptical, but Blue is determined to help them. With her very blue eyes, and her wave tattoo, she stands out somewhat, but she knows how to hide.
Since Seamus’ death when she was thirteen, Blue has been on her own and she has never left the string of islands that border Washington State. It is a lonely life, but really the only option she has – that is until a mysterious stranger washes up on shore, barely alive. She decides to take a chance and save his life – only it is her life that is going to change forever. His name is Gabriel Black – as she warms his body that night, she can’t help feel an attraction. He is stunningly male, and Blue hasn’t had a lot of time for romance in her life.When she wakes in the morning she realizes he carries a knife of a Runner. Before she has time to confront him, the Runner sirens go off. He tells her he wants to help her escape, and the memories of what the Runners once did to her haunt her so much, she decides to trust him. Off into the sea they go, both with many questions, both finding an attraction building. When Blue hears from the ocean that a wave, bigger than any other is going to hit in the near future, they race to save as many as they can, but the Runners have other plans for them.
I love, love, love Tsunami Blue . First, the world Gayle Ann Williams has created is violent, scary, and hard to grasp. The entire world has been turned into a world of islands. Water is everywhere, death is an every day occurrence. You can feel the horror when another wave is set to hit, and even the daily horror of constantly being wet. All the malls are underwater, all there is to eat is salmon. Kids are left orphans, and worst of all – the Runners have put terror into the heart of every living soul. They rape, murder, torture and there is no mention of any type of law enforcement willing to rule over the land. They want Blue – they want to use her. If they know when and where the next wave will strike it gives them power.
Blue is a heroine who has grown up since the age of five with the world in turmoil. She has an edge because her uncle Seamus taught her how to survive, although her childhood was filled with horror and violence. She has basically grown up alone, so when she sees the mysterious Gabriel Black, she wants to save him. She wants that chance for companionship. Who she finds is a very suspicious man. He is apparently a runner, but he is running from the same people she is. He says he wants to keep her safe at all costs, but why? She doesn’t want to trust him, or even like him. But when he woos her with Starbucks and cream – two things she thought didn’t even exist anymore – she becomes putty in his hands. When their life is endangered, and Gabriel risks everything to save her, their relationship takes on a new level. Gabriel is fierce, lethal, and very sexy.
When we finally discover what it is Gabriel really wants with Blue, I thought the reason is solid, although I would have liked to see the actual big event at the end played out in more detail. It seemed a little anticlimactic after the build up the entire book. That being said, there is plenty of other action throughout the book, and I really enjoyed how it all plays out.
Tsunami Blue is an action packed book filled with romantic tension, and a heroine that will make you laugh along the way. With a unique and interesting world, I definitely recommend.
Favorite Quote: First, the shower did make me feel better, and second, the tighty whities were just fine. Okay. More than fine. What that man could do for a pair of underwear. Wow.
Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley is living in a world where water rules. When she was five, a tsunami struck Thailand, devastating the area and killing her family. But the water has not stopped. Wave after wave has decimated the world. There is no infrastructure, currency, stores. Everything is underwater or just gone. She was raised by her uncle Seamus, a violent man who belonged to a group of people called Runners, very violent gang pirates that have taken to the seas to ravish and loot. Although Seamus was blood thirsty and anything but a good guardian, he taught Blue how to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Blue has a power of her own though, one that scares many and one that makes her a very valuable catch – if anyone can find her. The ocean speaks to her. It whispers on the waves and warns her when another tsunami is coming. She listens and interprets, then takes her shortwave radio equipment and broadcasts it as best she can so people have a chance to survive. Many are skeptical, but Blue is determined to help them. With her very blue eyes, and her wave tattoo, she stands out somewhat, but she knows how to hide.
Since Seamus’ death when she was thirteen, Blue has been on her own and she has never left the string of islands that border Washington State. It is a lonely life, but really the only option she has – that is until a mysterious stranger washes up on shore, barely alive. She decides to take a chance and save his life – only it is her life that is going to change forever. His name is Gabriel Black – as she warms his body that night, she can’t help feel an attraction. He is stunningly male, and Blue hasn’t had a lot of time for romance in her life.When she wakes in the morning she realizes he carries a knife of a Runner. Before she has time to confront him, the Runner sirens go off. He tells her he wants to help her escape, and the memories of what the Runners once did to her haunt her so much, she decides to trust him. Off into the sea they go, both with many questions, both finding an attraction building. When Blue hears from the ocean that a wave, bigger than any other is going to hit in the near future, they race to save as many as they can, but the Runners have other plans for them.
I love, love, love Tsunami Blue . First, the world Gayle Ann Williams has created is violent, scary, and hard to grasp. The entire world has been turned into a world of islands. Water is everywhere, death is an every day occurrence. You can feel the horror when another wave is set to hit, and even the daily horror of constantly being wet. All the malls are underwater, all there is to eat is salmon. Kids are left orphans, and worst of all – the Runners have put terror into the heart of every living soul. They rape, murder, torture and there is no mention of any type of law enforcement willing to rule over the land. They want Blue – they want to use her. If they know when and where the next wave will strike it gives them power.
Blue is a heroine who has grown up since the age of five with the world in turmoil. She has an edge because her uncle Seamus taught her how to survive, although her childhood was filled with horror and violence. She has basically grown up alone, so when she sees the mysterious Gabriel Black, she wants to save him. She wants that chance for companionship. Who she finds is a very suspicious man. He is apparently a runner, but he is running from the same people she is. He says he wants to keep her safe at all costs, but why? She doesn’t want to trust him, or even like him. But when he woos her with Starbucks and cream – two things she thought didn’t even exist anymore – she becomes putty in his hands. When their life is endangered, and Gabriel risks everything to save her, their relationship takes on a new level. Gabriel is fierce, lethal, and very sexy.
When we finally discover what it is Gabriel really wants with Blue, I thought the reason is solid, although I would have liked to see the actual big event at the end played out in more detail. It seemed a little anticlimactic after the build up the entire book. That being said, there is plenty of other action throughout the book, and I really enjoyed how it all plays out.
Tsunami Blue is an action packed book filled with romantic tension, and a heroine that will make you laugh along the way. With a unique and interesting world, I definitely recommend.
March 29, 2010
Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley has always had an affinity for water. When the first waves came dooming humanity to live the rest of their lives on islands surrounded by wave prone oceans of death, it was the first indication that she was able to do something “special”. On that day, humanities last blast, Blue was able to save lives, and warn those that would listen. Call her what you want, savior or witch, that very gift has also made her highly sought after.
Now the world has adjusted as well as they can to its blue surroundings. Humanity is limping along as best as they can. There are Uplanders…those who dwell on land in what cities still standing, scavenging the leftovers of civilization, and other pioneers living in remote isolation. And there are Runners…modern day pirates, some with an evil cannibalistic bent, scourge to anything living and dead. These days, Blue is in the wind…with her short-wave radio, saving the innocent and teaching the ignorant that when the sea talks you listen.
When Gabriel Black lands on Blue’s remote island, half dead, the dreaded 666 Runner tattoo emblazoned on his shoulder, Blue scarcely knows what to think. Does she save his life or kill him? Not far behind him are the smoking fires of Runners. Decision made, Blue and Gabriel embark on a treacherous journey to outwit an entire fleet of bloodthirsty pirates. The tentative trust between these two main characters is chock full of erotic suspense and the searing attraction licks off the pages. But who is Black exactly and what does he want from her? Does he work for Indigo the leader of the Runners? Or someone else? What powers does he possess?
Tsunami Blue translates as an experience, and so much more than a book. Williams will take you on an amazing adventure; her stunning vision brilliantly conceived, and rapid fire from start to finish. At times I felt propelled by jet fuel as I ripped through the pages. Her exceptional sense of humor and the witty repartee present within the pages are screamingly funny. Blue is not a meek female by any means, but a knife-wielding temptress that can quip with the best of them, and hold her own against the worst of Runner scum. And Gabriel Black will die first before giving her up.
The world building of the newly submerged Pacific Northwest that Williams portrays is completely believable and illustrated with ferocious examples: lethal cage fights (reminiscent of Mad Max), the great white shark pens where the unlucky end up as daily meals, and the predators that exist around every corner. In Williams’ world its kill or be killed. But there is room for love and Gabriel and Blue must learn to depend on one another, giving into the tsunami of feelings that is inevitably building between them. I am a huge speculative fiction fan, and this is the best original work I have read in ages. It’s an exceptional meshing of Williams’ unique storytelling skills, her post-apocalyptic vision and red-hot romance. More please! Fans are definitely going to demand a sequel!
A Fiendishly Bookish Review
Now the world has adjusted as well as they can to its blue surroundings. Humanity is limping along as best as they can. There are Uplanders…those who dwell on land in what cities still standing, scavenging the leftovers of civilization, and other pioneers living in remote isolation. And there are Runners…modern day pirates, some with an evil cannibalistic bent, scourge to anything living and dead. These days, Blue is in the wind…with her short-wave radio, saving the innocent and teaching the ignorant that when the sea talks you listen.
When Gabriel Black lands on Blue’s remote island, half dead, the dreaded 666 Runner tattoo emblazoned on his shoulder, Blue scarcely knows what to think. Does she save his life or kill him? Not far behind him are the smoking fires of Runners. Decision made, Blue and Gabriel embark on a treacherous journey to outwit an entire fleet of bloodthirsty pirates. The tentative trust between these two main characters is chock full of erotic suspense and the searing attraction licks off the pages. But who is Black exactly and what does he want from her? Does he work for Indigo the leader of the Runners? Or someone else? What powers does he possess?
Tsunami Blue translates as an experience, and so much more than a book. Williams will take you on an amazing adventure; her stunning vision brilliantly conceived, and rapid fire from start to finish. At times I felt propelled by jet fuel as I ripped through the pages. Her exceptional sense of humor and the witty repartee present within the pages are screamingly funny. Blue is not a meek female by any means, but a knife-wielding temptress that can quip with the best of them, and hold her own against the worst of Runner scum. And Gabriel Black will die first before giving her up.
The world building of the newly submerged Pacific Northwest that Williams portrays is completely believable and illustrated with ferocious examples: lethal cage fights (reminiscent of Mad Max), the great white shark pens where the unlucky end up as daily meals, and the predators that exist around every corner. In Williams’ world its kill or be killed. But there is room for love and Gabriel and Blue must learn to depend on one another, giving into the tsunami of feelings that is inevitably building between them. I am a huge speculative fiction fan, and this is the best original work I have read in ages. It’s an exceptional meshing of Williams’ unique storytelling skills, her post-apocalyptic vision and red-hot romance. More please! Fans are definitely going to demand a sequel!
A Fiendishly Bookish Review
October 11, 2010
My main fascination with Tsunami Blue was the Ocean. I grew up near the Ocean and seriously no matter where I live on O'ahu I will be close to a shoreline. And I would not have it any other way. I must admit it was a bit nerve racking because I know how powerful the Ocean is and I don't want to imagine battling those kinds of waves.
Kathryn "Blue" O'Malley once a young girl crying warnings of a Tsunami that nearly wiped the population out is now an adult and the most highly sought after commodity. Living in isolation with her dog she broadcasts wave reports on the air waves to whom ever can hear her. Tsunami Blue or Blue for short knows that survivors want to either kill her or use her but still she broadcast what the waves whisper to her.
Runners are the Pirates of the sea but they do not limit themselves to terror on the sea but the land as well. They are dangerous, murderous, greedy and heartless bastards. Until she meets Gabriel Black, the runner who washed up on her shore and whose life she saved.
The plot is undoubtedly stimulating. The setting is perfectly placed for me that I had little difficulty imagining this world. Ocean, waves, sand, sharks, fish (Salmon especially), and the boats. Of course, on the flip side there was blood, guts, knives of all wicked properties, pirates and a few other thing I sure as heck am not used to, only in a novel that is. With this wicked blend of familiarity and fantasy I was captured. Hook, line and sinker.
The romance was almost immediate. There was no guessing who the love interests would be but how it evolved is an adventure. On the negative, I hated how Blue kept on second guessing Gabriel's intentions to almost the very end.
Adventure. There is an element of adventure to be had sailing the open seas. The Author did not spare Blue and Gabriel- they were thrust into trial after trial. The author was not selfish- each character had the opportunity to play the hero. The author was daring- Characters were diverse in appearance and in perversity *shutters*
Confusion. I am a wee bit confused on one matter: The cause of the Tsunamis. There is a brief mention global warming but only brief but mostly it is more of a mystical cause and effect. The whispering seas. The ocean is given life and personality- playing tricks on blue. Teasing and taunting as well. I am leaning towards the mystical element since this is a PNR book and all signs come from that direction but there was no clear explanation. Even with the slight guess work I read this novel in a day. It did not hinder me from enjoying the flow of each page.
Epilogue. I love authors who give us Epilogues because when I enjoy a storyline and the characters I want more and I need a sense of closure. And, oh, how I adore the Epi. *sigh* I am a creature of habit and crave for a HEA.
All in all, I enjoyed this novel. The Gayle Ann Williams is very talented and I will continue to follow her work.
Kathryn "Blue" O'Malley once a young girl crying warnings of a Tsunami that nearly wiped the population out is now an adult and the most highly sought after commodity. Living in isolation with her dog she broadcasts wave reports on the air waves to whom ever can hear her. Tsunami Blue or Blue for short knows that survivors want to either kill her or use her but still she broadcast what the waves whisper to her.
Runners are the Pirates of the sea but they do not limit themselves to terror on the sea but the land as well. They are dangerous, murderous, greedy and heartless bastards. Until she meets Gabriel Black, the runner who washed up on her shore and whose life she saved.
The plot is undoubtedly stimulating. The setting is perfectly placed for me that I had little difficulty imagining this world. Ocean, waves, sand, sharks, fish (Salmon especially), and the boats. Of course, on the flip side there was blood, guts, knives of all wicked properties, pirates and a few other thing I sure as heck am not used to, only in a novel that is. With this wicked blend of familiarity and fantasy I was captured. Hook, line and sinker.
The romance was almost immediate. There was no guessing who the love interests would be but how it evolved is an adventure. On the negative, I hated how Blue kept on second guessing Gabriel's intentions to almost the very end.
Adventure. There is an element of adventure to be had sailing the open seas. The Author did not spare Blue and Gabriel- they were thrust into trial after trial. The author was not selfish- each character had the opportunity to play the hero. The author was daring- Characters were diverse in appearance and in perversity *shutters*
Confusion. I am a wee bit confused on one matter: The cause of the Tsunamis. There is a brief mention global warming but only brief but mostly it is more of a mystical cause and effect. The whispering seas. The ocean is given life and personality- playing tricks on blue. Teasing and taunting as well. I am leaning towards the mystical element since this is a PNR book and all signs come from that direction but there was no clear explanation. Even with the slight guess work I read this novel in a day. It did not hinder me from enjoying the flow of each page.
Epilogue. I love authors who give us Epilogues because when I enjoy a storyline and the characters I want more and I need a sense of closure. And, oh, how I adore the Epi. *sigh* I am a creature of habit and crave for a HEA.
All in all, I enjoyed this novel. The Gayle Ann Williams is very talented and I will continue to follow her work.
February 22, 2012
You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/02/...
It’s 2023 and the world has been devastated (and reduced to mostly islands) by killer tsunamis. 24 year old Kathryn O’Malley (aka Tsunami Blue), lives by herself with her dog Max and takes to the airwave where she uses her gift to warn whoever is listening, when a tsunami is on its way. You see, the ocean speaks, and Blue can hear it. Her hopes of saving as many lives as possible keep her going in a world that’s seemingly gone to hell. Constantly on the lookout for pirates (aka Runners) who would capture Blue and use her for her gift (to pillage and plunder), Blue is always on alert, and knows how to protect herself, so when a handsome stranger washes up on her shores, all her barriers come crashing down. Gabriel Black looks like an angel, albeit a dark one, and at first, Blue takes him for dead. She manages to get him back to her cabin and eventually nurses him out of hypothermia, only to find out he’s a dreaded Runner. Or is he?
I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed this little gem! I kinda fell in love with Blue, in spite of myself. She’s stubborn, untrusting (for good reason), and often bites off a little more than she can chew. But! She’s also refreshingly innocent (having been by herself for so long), is killer with a knife, and has a heart as big as the tsunamis that she predicts. A big part of the appeal of Tsunami Blue is the playout between Blue and Gabriel. In spite of his seemingly sinister background with the dreaded Runners, he’s determined to protect Blue at all costs, and seems to already harbor a serious crush on her. Blue, in spite of the undeniable attraction, is just determined to steal his boat and escape. Gabriel, excruciatingly so, manages to hold on to his mysterious origins, and the reasons for kidnapping Blue, for almost the whole book. So frustrating!! Yes, but it’s totally worth the payoff. Trust me on this one!
Tsunami Blue’s world is a cross between Mad Max and Waterworld (yes, I liked that movie, feel free to comment on that below), and I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging, fascinating characters that the author populated it with. The Runners are absolutely terrifying, and Blue is not afraid to get her hands dirty when engaging with them. She fights for her life right along with the best of them, and is a force to be reckoned with. The sweet romance with Gabe makes a nice counterpoint to the relatively dark world and that our hero and heroine are living in. However, Tsunami Blue is no frou frou romance. The worldbuilding is great, the fighting is fierce, and the perils are terrifying. You’ll zip through it wanting to know what happens next right now, not to mention wanting Gabe and Blue to get together already! Loved this one, and hope you will too!
It’s 2023 and the world has been devastated (and reduced to mostly islands) by killer tsunamis. 24 year old Kathryn O’Malley (aka Tsunami Blue), lives by herself with her dog Max and takes to the airwave where she uses her gift to warn whoever is listening, when a tsunami is on its way. You see, the ocean speaks, and Blue can hear it. Her hopes of saving as many lives as possible keep her going in a world that’s seemingly gone to hell. Constantly on the lookout for pirates (aka Runners) who would capture Blue and use her for her gift (to pillage and plunder), Blue is always on alert, and knows how to protect herself, so when a handsome stranger washes up on her shores, all her barriers come crashing down. Gabriel Black looks like an angel, albeit a dark one, and at first, Blue takes him for dead. She manages to get him back to her cabin and eventually nurses him out of hypothermia, only to find out he’s a dreaded Runner. Or is he?
I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed this little gem! I kinda fell in love with Blue, in spite of myself. She’s stubborn, untrusting (for good reason), and often bites off a little more than she can chew. But! She’s also refreshingly innocent (having been by herself for so long), is killer with a knife, and has a heart as big as the tsunamis that she predicts. A big part of the appeal of Tsunami Blue is the playout between Blue and Gabriel. In spite of his seemingly sinister background with the dreaded Runners, he’s determined to protect Blue at all costs, and seems to already harbor a serious crush on her. Blue, in spite of the undeniable attraction, is just determined to steal his boat and escape. Gabriel, excruciatingly so, manages to hold on to his mysterious origins, and the reasons for kidnapping Blue, for almost the whole book. So frustrating!! Yes, but it’s totally worth the payoff. Trust me on this one!
Tsunami Blue’s world is a cross between Mad Max and Waterworld (yes, I liked that movie, feel free to comment on that below), and I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging, fascinating characters that the author populated it with. The Runners are absolutely terrifying, and Blue is not afraid to get her hands dirty when engaging with them. She fights for her life right along with the best of them, and is a force to be reckoned with. The sweet romance with Gabe makes a nice counterpoint to the relatively dark world and that our hero and heroine are living in. However, Tsunami Blue is no frou frou romance. The worldbuilding is great, the fighting is fierce, and the perils are terrifying. You’ll zip through it wanting to know what happens next right now, not to mention wanting Gabe and Blue to get together already! Loved this one, and hope you will too!
August 4, 2010
I'm always pleasantly surprised when a debut novel is good, and this book was no exception.
What worked for me:
Loved loved loved the sea talking and playing with Blue :) That was incredibly cool
Really enjoyed the Mad Max/Thunderdome vibe of the post-apocalyptic world that existed after a series of tsunamis wiped out civilization as we know it.
Max was awesome, and I loved the card game with Aubrey :)
The tattoo? Epic Win as well.
I for one also liked the toughness of Blue resulting from her being raised by pirates and having had a really crappy childhood, at odds with her vulnerable/naive/sheltered personality from having been away from "civilization" for so long... I know some reviewers have said it put them off, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that a girl who could filet you with a bowie knife also blushed whenever faced with the slightest bit of attraction to another human being :) It was sweet.
There are more things, but honestly I don't want this review to have too many spoilers, so let's just say it was a lot of little things that kept making me smile :)
What didn't work for me:
I'm not sure I ever really felt the love/attraction between Gabriel and Blue... Yes, she had a party in her pants around him because he was incredibly easy on the eyes and she was a 24 year old virgin, and it was obvious he was attracted to her, but even though the backstory as to why he was interested in her outside of her physical appearance was explained, I still didn't quite feel it as deeply as I think I was intended to.
Gabriel seeing Blue naked and/or half naked outside of sexual situations all the bloody time was annoying! Pet peeve of mine, I know, but authors, don't try to make your heroine vulnerable by having people see her naked unless it's some kind of exhibitionist fetish that you're gratifying for an erotica story. It's not sexy, it's embarrassing.
The vagueness of the ending (not the epilogue, the ending)... I think I know what the message was, but I'm a bit thick sometimes and wish it'd been spelled out a bit more
In the end, I was very happy with this story :) I'm very glad that Book 2 has been sold, even though it'll deal with different characters rather than being a continuation of Blue and Gabriel's life
Overall, I'd say 4 1/2 Stars
What worked for me:
Loved loved loved the sea talking and playing with Blue :) That was incredibly cool
Really enjoyed the Mad Max/Thunderdome vibe of the post-apocalyptic world that existed after a series of tsunamis wiped out civilization as we know it.
Max was awesome, and I loved the card game with Aubrey :)
The tattoo? Epic Win as well.
I for one also liked the toughness of Blue resulting from her being raised by pirates and having had a really crappy childhood, at odds with her vulnerable/naive/sheltered personality from having been away from "civilization" for so long... I know some reviewers have said it put them off, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that a girl who could filet you with a bowie knife also blushed whenever faced with the slightest bit of attraction to another human being :) It was sweet.
There are more things, but honestly I don't want this review to have too many spoilers, so let's just say it was a lot of little things that kept making me smile :)
What didn't work for me:
I'm not sure I ever really felt the love/attraction between Gabriel and Blue... Yes, she had a party in her pants around him because he was incredibly easy on the eyes and she was a 24 year old virgin, and it was obvious he was attracted to her, but even though the backstory as to why he was interested in her outside of her physical appearance was explained, I still didn't quite feel it as deeply as I think I was intended to.
Gabriel seeing Blue naked and/or half naked outside of sexual situations all the bloody time was annoying! Pet peeve of mine, I know, but authors, don't try to make your heroine vulnerable by having people see her naked unless it's some kind of exhibitionist fetish that you're gratifying for an erotica story. It's not sexy, it's embarrassing.
The vagueness of the ending (not the epilogue, the ending)... I think I know what the message was, but I'm a bit thick sometimes and wish it'd been spelled out a bit more
In the end, I was very happy with this story :) I'm very glad that Book 2 has been sold, even though it'll deal with different characters rather than being a continuation of Blue and Gabriel's life
Overall, I'd say 4 1/2 Stars
June 7, 2010
Oh, I really liked this one! I had absolutely no expectations for this one when I picked it up. (Other than an AWESOME cover) I was sucked in on page one.
Blue O'Malley lives in a future world where the planet has been ravaged by tsumanis creating a virtual "waterworld" where land has been broken down to Island chains. What makes Blue special is that she can predict when the next wave will hit. Because of this talent, she is in hiding from pirates or "runners" who would use her to gain more control and, therefore, money.
Fate has Blue stumbling upon a "Dark Angel" on her beach one day. Gabriel Black is a runner who's been searching for Blue. But now they have to work together to avoid capture by other factions of runners. All the while, trying to predict when and where the next wave will hit. Can blue put her fear of runners behind her and work with her enemy to accomplish it?
"Blue" is a truly likeable character. She's strong, sometimes humble, yet cocky and snarky with a side of vulnerable and compassionate. Her traits balanced out nicely to create a very believable heroine who is easy to route for. I loved her sarcasm and quick whit. And I like that she was able to stand on her own without having to depend 100% on Gabriel to protect her.
Gabriel. I couldn't help but like him. Even if I didn't trust him some of the time. Deep down, I knew he was a good guy. I liked the mystery behind him. And the way he was able to be there for Blue when she needed him the most. He had the uncanny ability to sense what she needed and be there to provide it. But he still managed to maintain his edge.
My only qualm was with the romantic aspect of this book. The author did a wonderful job of building up and maintaining tension between Blue and Gabriel. It was so tightly wound that I was prepared for something cataclysmic (sp?) when it snapped. After all of that building, the culmination was pretty anti-climactic. But after all was said and done, the climax of the story made up for it. Give me a gritty, dark romance any day!
I hear that this is the start of a series. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for more by this author.
Blue O'Malley lives in a future world where the planet has been ravaged by tsumanis creating a virtual "waterworld" where land has been broken down to Island chains. What makes Blue special is that she can predict when the next wave will hit. Because of this talent, she is in hiding from pirates or "runners" who would use her to gain more control and, therefore, money.
Fate has Blue stumbling upon a "Dark Angel" on her beach one day. Gabriel Black is a runner who's been searching for Blue. But now they have to work together to avoid capture by other factions of runners. All the while, trying to predict when and where the next wave will hit. Can blue put her fear of runners behind her and work with her enemy to accomplish it?
"Blue" is a truly likeable character. She's strong, sometimes humble, yet cocky and snarky with a side of vulnerable and compassionate. Her traits balanced out nicely to create a very believable heroine who is easy to route for. I loved her sarcasm and quick whit. And I like that she was able to stand on her own without having to depend 100% on Gabriel to protect her.
Gabriel. I couldn't help but like him. Even if I didn't trust him some of the time. Deep down, I knew he was a good guy. I liked the mystery behind him. And the way he was able to be there for Blue when she needed him the most. He had the uncanny ability to sense what she needed and be there to provide it. But he still managed to maintain his edge.
My only qualm was with the romantic aspect of this book. The author did a wonderful job of building up and maintaining tension between Blue and Gabriel. It was so tightly wound that I was prepared for something cataclysmic (sp?) when it snapped. After all of that building, the culmination was pretty anti-climactic. But after all was said and done, the climax of the story made up for it. Give me a gritty, dark romance any day!
I hear that this is the start of a series. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for more by this author.
July 27, 2010
This was kind of a mixed bag for me.
I quite liked Blue's character. Her wistfulness and loneliness come through sharply and the author does a good job of making us understand the level of danger she lives with. It's scary stuff. I also liked the "Tokyo Rose" inspiration, and the idea that Blue is a voice out in the world, bouncing off the moon.
World-building is a bit uneven-- generally I like the premise, but the details don't always hold up
Likewise, the romance. I think all the right ingredients are here, but it didn't quite gel for me. Blue is portrayed as both naive (from her isolation) and street-tough (from her time with her uncle) and somehow they both worked against her feelings for the hero. She distrusts him, but not quite enough... and then when she falls for him, it's also not quite enough-- for me, anyway.
Overall, despite some flaws, I enjoyed the storytelling, and think Williams is an author to watch. For a more detailed review, please see my blog at
I quite liked Blue's character. Her wistfulness and loneliness come through sharply and the author does a good job of making us understand the level of danger she lives with. It's scary stuff. I also liked the "Tokyo Rose" inspiration, and the idea that Blue is a voice out in the world, bouncing off the moon.
World-building is a bit uneven-- generally I like the premise, but the details don't always hold up
Likewise, the romance. I think all the right ingredients are here, but it didn't quite gel for me. Blue is portrayed as both naive (from her isolation) and street-tough (from her time with her uncle) and somehow they both worked against her feelings for the hero. She distrusts him, but not quite enough... and then when she falls for him, it's also not quite enough-- for me, anyway.
Overall, despite some flaws, I enjoyed the storytelling, and think Williams is an author to watch. For a more detailed review, please see my blog at
August 2, 2017
There was something about TSUNAMI BLUE that caught my attention before I'd even read the back blurb. The cover and the title were both so compelling that it managed to catch my attention and never let go. Generally I rely heavily upon author posted excerpts to determine my overall yearning for a book but TSUNAMI BLUE had no excerpt to speak of. All I knew was that it was about a girl that could predict the most deadly of all waves and a naked pirate that washes up on her island shore. Somehow that was all it took to steal my reader heart and imagine my surprise when it blew my already high expectations out of the water.
In a world torn asunder by giant tsunamis, Tsunami Blue is a voice that echoes upon the airwaves across the now dotted island canvas of Earth. The soft confidence of her voice carries either relief with the reassurance that for the moment the sea is calm or she can relay the most dire of warnings: A wave is coming. Sadly, Tsunami Blue can only predict the feared waves, not stop them, as they continue to batter the world's people as they cling desperately to their dreams in addition to what land remains.
Kathryn "Blue" O'Malley rose to fame as the child who predicted the first giant tsunami in Thailand that killed billions including Blue's mother, father and twin brother. Now more than a decade and a half later, Blue - along with her giant dog, Max - is marooned upon the New San Juan Islands which are just one of the many island chains making up what was once Washington State. While the situation may appear desolate, the isolation is truly the only means that Blue has for staying safe.
In a world consumed by fear, people don't necessarily enjoy Blue's company calling her evil and a witch for her feared abnormal ability to talk to the sea and predict the exact place and time of a tsunami. Along with their fear comes their acute hatred and anger because they misguidedly believe that Blue can but won't stop those very same tsunamis from destroying their homes and families. Even worse, there are those that want Blue for their own gruesome purposes. In a world where now only the fittest survive, a stronghold of men called Runners have slashed their way to the top of the food chain. Likened to pirates, these men steal, rape and kill for the goods they want and Tsunami Blue is the ultimate treasure for whomever controls the destination of the waves, controls the world.
With their ritual midnight walk upon the beach, Blue and Max look for the gifts that the sea periodically washes upon their island shore. With past treasures of beautifully colored Japanese floats or traps full of delicious lobster, the sea appears to have a sense of fate the night this reader meets Blue for it gifts her with a nearly dead, dark angel of a man that sets off the adventure of a lifetime. Having grown up with Runners, Blue knows their kind and while the man appears angelic, he bears the mark of his murdering brethren. But Blue is tired of death, tired of loneliness after having to always loose those she loves and as her desire for finally having her own guardian sets in so does her survival training and the knowledge that she can save this mysterious man that's been gifted to her by the sea.
When Blue's captive patient - captive because she handcuffs him to a cast-iron stove - awakens, he brings with him the blaring sirens of Runners. Enjoying the view of their prey scattering, Runners blast their distinctive sirens into the bays signaling the pillaging to come and they've finally managed to find Blue which she highly suspects is due to her beautiful "friend". Rethinking her determination to save her dark angel, whose name ironically is Gabriel Black, Blue decides he must die. She's killed once before and she resolves to do it again but when her sinfully delectable prey manages to escape his bonds, Blue knows her life's in danger and when Gabriel demands her trust that he can save her from the blood thirsty pirates that are on their way, Blue fears more for her sanity than her life when she agrees.
Gabriel Black is a true mystery for much of the adventure. While he may have the face of an angel, his Runner ties has Blue appropriately on her guard. He's a constant conundrum with his agile moves and swift kills alongside his careful attention to the young souls whom Blue later learns rely on him. Blue's internal image of Gabriel is continuously changing with each new facet that is revealed. Having survived for most of her childhood with Runners, Blue has developed an uncanny ability of recognizing evil and Gabriel contests her past experiences with Runners with his unfailing ability to disarm her with his own brand of justice and kindness. But no matter how smooth his charm and brave antics may be, Blue soon learns that Gabriel is the Runner's bloodhound and its her blood he's promised them he'd catch. How can she possibly trust him knowing that despite the fact he continues to hide her directly beneath the pirate's gruesome noses, he also could at any point deliver on his supposed promise?
Developing a plan, Blue watches Gabriel's maneuverings upon his black-hulled sailboat with the intention of learning everything she can so that when she steals it, she'll survive the raging sea. But before she throws her dark angel overboard, Blue wants answers and while she's doing that, maybe she'll dispense with her pesky innocence as well. Why not? Gabriel is the sexiest thing to sail seas and he's also the first man to make Blue's hormones stand up and pay attention.
One thing Blue has always known is that the sea is never kind and it reaffirms that valuable knowledge when it forces Blue to not only contend with her raging hormones, Gabriel and a band of ruthless Runners, but it's also chosen this as the time to tell Blue that the mother of all tsunamis is about to strike the Pacific Northwest. And this time it might finally succeed in stealing her away to its darkest depths like it did her family all those years ago.
TSUNAMI BLUE, told in first person narrative by Blue, explores the condition of humanity after nature has destroyed modern civilization as we know it right now to be true. It shows that at the core, human beings are capable of such villainy, such evil in the desperation for their own survival that nothing can be beneath them. Able to live in the filthiest of hovels, we can easily develop a penchant for cruelty, the destruction of innocence and the glorifying of death and greed. Blue, however, is a ray of light and a beacon hope. She's living proof that good can survive against even the greatest of evils and that it requires determination, bravery and a little self-deprecation for one can't possibly take themselves too seriously in the wake of disaster.
In the simplest of terms, I fell in love with Blue, her voice and her heart. She's both smart and hilariously clumsy and no matter how seasoned she may be with the depravity of mankind, she's managed to hold on to an endearing innocence and a trusting nature despite all the that the sea has stolen. I especially love that even at the risk of losing her own life, Blue can be afraid but also fierce in her determination to save those that can't save themselves. She's who I could only hope to be if I were forced to survive the life Blue inevitably conquers.
Gabriel Black...sigh...he's that dark and dangerous pirate that every girl has one time or another longed for. He's unfailingly gentle with Blue and despite the fact that his motives were at times questionable - mainly due to Blue's distrust, I never doubted his honor. A master strategist and cunning opponent, Gabriel did in fact live up to Blue's nick name of a dark angel. He did what he had to with regards to Blue and his desire to make her his and keep her safe. He's definitely a pirate but a beautiful one and he stole my heart as quickly as her stole Blue's.
This is truly paranormal romance at its best. The plot is raw, emotional and wonderfully action-packed. The villains are evil while the heroes are incredibly heroic with a gentle yet beautiful romance swirling heatedly at its core. Be prepared to laugh but also to cry for there are moments of deep sadness and hopelessness - all of which make for one amazing roller coaster ride upon murky and raging seas.
In a world torn asunder by giant tsunamis, Tsunami Blue is a voice that echoes upon the airwaves across the now dotted island canvas of Earth. The soft confidence of her voice carries either relief with the reassurance that for the moment the sea is calm or she can relay the most dire of warnings: A wave is coming. Sadly, Tsunami Blue can only predict the feared waves, not stop them, as they continue to batter the world's people as they cling desperately to their dreams in addition to what land remains.
Kathryn "Blue" O'Malley rose to fame as the child who predicted the first giant tsunami in Thailand that killed billions including Blue's mother, father and twin brother. Now more than a decade and a half later, Blue - along with her giant dog, Max - is marooned upon the New San Juan Islands which are just one of the many island chains making up what was once Washington State. While the situation may appear desolate, the isolation is truly the only means that Blue has for staying safe.
In a world consumed by fear, people don't necessarily enjoy Blue's company calling her evil and a witch for her feared abnormal ability to talk to the sea and predict the exact place and time of a tsunami. Along with their fear comes their acute hatred and anger because they misguidedly believe that Blue can but won't stop those very same tsunamis from destroying their homes and families. Even worse, there are those that want Blue for their own gruesome purposes. In a world where now only the fittest survive, a stronghold of men called Runners have slashed their way to the top of the food chain. Likened to pirates, these men steal, rape and kill for the goods they want and Tsunami Blue is the ultimate treasure for whomever controls the destination of the waves, controls the world.
With their ritual midnight walk upon the beach, Blue and Max look for the gifts that the sea periodically washes upon their island shore. With past treasures of beautifully colored Japanese floats or traps full of delicious lobster, the sea appears to have a sense of fate the night this reader meets Blue for it gifts her with a nearly dead, dark angel of a man that sets off the adventure of a lifetime. Having grown up with Runners, Blue knows their kind and while the man appears angelic, he bears the mark of his murdering brethren. But Blue is tired of death, tired of loneliness after having to always loose those she loves and as her desire for finally having her own guardian sets in so does her survival training and the knowledge that she can save this mysterious man that's been gifted to her by the sea.
When Blue's captive patient - captive because she handcuffs him to a cast-iron stove - awakens, he brings with him the blaring sirens of Runners. Enjoying the view of their prey scattering, Runners blast their distinctive sirens into the bays signaling the pillaging to come and they've finally managed to find Blue which she highly suspects is due to her beautiful "friend". Rethinking her determination to save her dark angel, whose name ironically is Gabriel Black, Blue decides he must die. She's killed once before and she resolves to do it again but when her sinfully delectable prey manages to escape his bonds, Blue knows her life's in danger and when Gabriel demands her trust that he can save her from the blood thirsty pirates that are on their way, Blue fears more for her sanity than her life when she agrees.
Gabriel Black is a true mystery for much of the adventure. While he may have the face of an angel, his Runner ties has Blue appropriately on her guard. He's a constant conundrum with his agile moves and swift kills alongside his careful attention to the young souls whom Blue later learns rely on him. Blue's internal image of Gabriel is continuously changing with each new facet that is revealed. Having survived for most of her childhood with Runners, Blue has developed an uncanny ability of recognizing evil and Gabriel contests her past experiences with Runners with his unfailing ability to disarm her with his own brand of justice and kindness. But no matter how smooth his charm and brave antics may be, Blue soon learns that Gabriel is the Runner's bloodhound and its her blood he's promised them he'd catch. How can she possibly trust him knowing that despite the fact he continues to hide her directly beneath the pirate's gruesome noses, he also could at any point deliver on his supposed promise?
Developing a plan, Blue watches Gabriel's maneuverings upon his black-hulled sailboat with the intention of learning everything she can so that when she steals it, she'll survive the raging sea. But before she throws her dark angel overboard, Blue wants answers and while she's doing that, maybe she'll dispense with her pesky innocence as well. Why not? Gabriel is the sexiest thing to sail seas and he's also the first man to make Blue's hormones stand up and pay attention.
One thing Blue has always known is that the sea is never kind and it reaffirms that valuable knowledge when it forces Blue to not only contend with her raging hormones, Gabriel and a band of ruthless Runners, but it's also chosen this as the time to tell Blue that the mother of all tsunamis is about to strike the Pacific Northwest. And this time it might finally succeed in stealing her away to its darkest depths like it did her family all those years ago.
TSUNAMI BLUE, told in first person narrative by Blue, explores the condition of humanity after nature has destroyed modern civilization as we know it right now to be true. It shows that at the core, human beings are capable of such villainy, such evil in the desperation for their own survival that nothing can be beneath them. Able to live in the filthiest of hovels, we can easily develop a penchant for cruelty, the destruction of innocence and the glorifying of death and greed. Blue, however, is a ray of light and a beacon hope. She's living proof that good can survive against even the greatest of evils and that it requires determination, bravery and a little self-deprecation for one can't possibly take themselves too seriously in the wake of disaster.
In the simplest of terms, I fell in love with Blue, her voice and her heart. She's both smart and hilariously clumsy and no matter how seasoned she may be with the depravity of mankind, she's managed to hold on to an endearing innocence and a trusting nature despite all the that the sea has stolen. I especially love that even at the risk of losing her own life, Blue can be afraid but also fierce in her determination to save those that can't save themselves. She's who I could only hope to be if I were forced to survive the life Blue inevitably conquers.
Gabriel Black...sigh...he's that dark and dangerous pirate that every girl has one time or another longed for. He's unfailingly gentle with Blue and despite the fact that his motives were at times questionable - mainly due to Blue's distrust, I never doubted his honor. A master strategist and cunning opponent, Gabriel did in fact live up to Blue's nick name of a dark angel. He did what he had to with regards to Blue and his desire to make her his and keep her safe. He's definitely a pirate but a beautiful one and he stole my heart as quickly as her stole Blue's.
This is truly paranormal romance at its best. The plot is raw, emotional and wonderfully action-packed. The villains are evil while the heroes are incredibly heroic with a gentle yet beautiful romance swirling heatedly at its core. Be prepared to laugh but also to cry for there are moments of deep sadness and hopelessness - all of which make for one amazing roller coaster ride upon murky and raging seas.
April 12, 2010
Gayle Ann Williams’s debut novel is an entertaining read, but it unfortunately suffers from stilted characterization and a weak ending.
I have to confess, I bounced back and forth between liking Blue, the main character, and being completely irritated by her. On one hand, she was raised by her Runner uncle–Runners are basically pirates, more on this later–and has lived alone since she was a young teenager. It makes sense that she’d talk to her dog as if he were human, and it makes sense that she would have become a tough person to both fight off the Runners and to survive the isolation of her life. On the other hand… I found her bad ass banter with both the love interest and with the Runners to be contrived and eyeroll-worthy.
The fact that the novel is written in first person didn’t really help me get past my annoyance with Blue’s dialogue–inner and spoken. For example, from page 27:
The book falls victim to telling-not-showing syndrome. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, a book will be much better if the author shows you what she wants you to understand about her characters/world/plot. When the reader is told that the protagonist is a badass over and over and over, it just doesn’t have the same effect as being shown that Blue can, in fact, kick someone’s ass. We get to see her fighting the bad guys, but she’s constantly telling us how tough she is. I would have liked her much better if she’d stopped talking about it so much and just kicked ass.
Gabriel Black, on the other hand, just didn’t feel developed enough for me. He shows up, half-dead on Blue’s beach, and after she saves his life, he smolders at her, flirts with her, and acts generally dangerous. We get hints of his history throughout the book, particularly in his relationship with two orphaned boys, but I felt like he didn’t have much of a personality at all. He also seems to have a strange obsession with Blue that never quite made sense to me, but this might be because I do have a problem with the love-within-hours-of-meeting trope that’s so integral to a lot of romances.
The world itself and the overall concept of the book are very interesting to me. I like the idea of a world wracked by natural disasters and tsunamis so violent that they’ve reshaped the continents. However, my inner science nerd really wanted more about what was happening, and the explanation that’s given just didn’t satisfy me. However, I say this with the caveat that I like hard science fiction and I read a lot of nonfiction about geology, so I expected a lot more than the average reader will. I did have trouble believing, though, that every major city in the world has been wiped out by the waves. The waves reached Chicago? Denver? Moscow? Wow. Those were really some serious waves. The Runners reminded me really strongly of the Reavers from Firefly in that they’re big, scary, evil guys who rape, murder, and pillage (well, the Reavers didn’t pillage) their way through the islands that make up the world. Life in this world is dangerous, and that definitely comes across through the writing.
The ending, however, just didn’t satisfy me as much as I wanted it to. I won’t spoil it, but it just happened too easily for my taste. It was rather formulaic and would have benefited greatly either from more explanation or less happy-ending. Again, this is one of my issues with romance tropes–I’m not the biggest fan of the happy happy ending where everything bad is gone, blah blah blah, so if you’re a romance fan, your mileage may vary, but I just wished it had been a little more difficult for them.
Despite all of the stuff I’ve just complained about, it was a fun read with some nice, sexy scenes and a very interesting concept. I’m just a ridiculously picky romance reader, haha.
I have to confess, I bounced back and forth between liking Blue, the main character, and being completely irritated by her. On one hand, she was raised by her Runner uncle–Runners are basically pirates, more on this later–and has lived alone since she was a young teenager. It makes sense that she’d talk to her dog as if he were human, and it makes sense that she would have become a tough person to both fight off the Runners and to survive the isolation of her life. On the other hand… I found her bad ass banter with both the love interest and with the Runners to be contrived and eyeroll-worthy.
The fact that the novel is written in first person didn’t really help me get past my annoyance with Blue’s dialogue–inner and spoken. For example, from page 27:
I twirled the knife into a blur, which was habit. . . . “Depending on what I hear,” I continued, “if I like your answers, I’ll decide if you live” –twirl– “Or die.” Twirl. Man, I’d just impressed myself with this knife act, set a new speed record, even. I was such a badass.
The book falls victim to telling-not-showing syndrome. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, a book will be much better if the author shows you what she wants you to understand about her characters/world/plot. When the reader is told that the protagonist is a badass over and over and over, it just doesn’t have the same effect as being shown that Blue can, in fact, kick someone’s ass. We get to see her fighting the bad guys, but she’s constantly telling us how tough she is. I would have liked her much better if she’d stopped talking about it so much and just kicked ass.
Gabriel Black, on the other hand, just didn’t feel developed enough for me. He shows up, half-dead on Blue’s beach, and after she saves his life, he smolders at her, flirts with her, and acts generally dangerous. We get hints of his history throughout the book, particularly in his relationship with two orphaned boys, but I felt like he didn’t have much of a personality at all. He also seems to have a strange obsession with Blue that never quite made sense to me, but this might be because I do have a problem with the love-within-hours-of-meeting trope that’s so integral to a lot of romances.
The world itself and the overall concept of the book are very interesting to me. I like the idea of a world wracked by natural disasters and tsunamis so violent that they’ve reshaped the continents. However, my inner science nerd really wanted more about what was happening, and the explanation that’s given just didn’t satisfy me. However, I say this with the caveat that I like hard science fiction and I read a lot of nonfiction about geology, so I expected a lot more than the average reader will. I did have trouble believing, though, that every major city in the world has been wiped out by the waves. The waves reached Chicago? Denver? Moscow? Wow. Those were really some serious waves. The Runners reminded me really strongly of the Reavers from Firefly in that they’re big, scary, evil guys who rape, murder, and pillage (well, the Reavers didn’t pillage) their way through the islands that make up the world. Life in this world is dangerous, and that definitely comes across through the writing.
The ending, however, just didn’t satisfy me as much as I wanted it to. I won’t spoil it, but it just happened too easily for my taste. It was rather formulaic and would have benefited greatly either from more explanation or less happy-ending. Again, this is one of my issues with romance tropes–I’m not the biggest fan of the happy happy ending where everything bad is gone, blah blah blah, so if you’re a romance fan, your mileage may vary, but I just wished it had been a little more difficult for them.
Despite all of the stuff I’ve just complained about, it was a fun read with some nice, sexy scenes and a very interesting concept. I’m just a ridiculously picky romance reader, haha.
September 26, 2010
Quick & Dirty: Strong characters, imaginative world-building, great action and deadly conflict make this book a must read.
Opening Sentence: “And so, my friends, the moon is full, the sea calm, and the wave?”
The Review:
Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley has an unusual ability. She can predict tsunamis. As a child, Blue predicted the first giant tsunami that hit, killing her family and millions of people. Raised by her Uncle Seamus, Blue is exposed to the harsh realities of life. Kill or be killed. He taught her how to survive and defend herself. In 2023, the U.S. is just a shadow of its former glory. Ravaged by giant tsunamis, only remote islands remain. The oceans are deadly, not just because they swallowed up whole cities, but because ruthless pirates called Runners troll the deep and unpredictable waters looking for their next victims. Unfortunately for Blue, her shortwave radio broadcasts have brought her to the unwanted attention of the Runners. Blue soon finds herself on the run with the deadly and dangerous Gabriel Black, a Runner…on the run.
While Blue is certainly far from the perfect heroine, she has many redeemable qualities. She is compassionate to a fault. Despite the hardships that she’s been through, Blue is quick to stand up for what’s right and to put her own well being at risk to help others. She cares very much about humanity and tries to save as many people as she can. She is strong, capable, funny, yet vulnerable.
I like Gabriel Black, but he doesn’t make it easy. I did take issue with how he handled the situation with Max, Blue’s loyal and lovable dog. Aside from that, he’s a great alpha hero. Gabriel has definitely met his match with Blue. While he did save her a few times on their perilous journey, Blue did a fair amount of fending for herself, saving him a time or two in return. They complement each other, each counter balancing the other’s weaknesses with their respective strengths. Gabriel and Blue have sizzling chemistry, but their connection goes much deeper than their physical attraction.
Ms. Williams has created a fascinating post-apocalyptic water world. Readers will be easily drawn into this story of survival, hope and high adventure. Ms. Williams has a beautiful and descriptive writing style, expertly capturing a wide range of emotions and bringing this intense tale to life.
Overall, Tsunami Blue is well worth reading. It is a refreshing and imaginative paranormal adventure. The world of Tsunami Blue is bleak, but filled with compelling characters, and topped off with a beautiful love story. Don’t be afraid of the water – jump into Tsunami Blue.
Notable Scene:
The scream of outrage resonated throughout the tiny engine room; the echo of pain rang in my ears. The sickening copper smell of blood filled my nostrils. I willed myself not to gag. I’d dealt with plenty of blood in my time. It was just that, in some remote area of my very frightened brain, I wasn’t a hundred percent sure that limb didn’t belong to Gabriel.
I should have known better. It wasn’t his voice that was screaming. And screaming still. And it wasn’t Gabriel’s style to be caught unaware, unprepared. I remembered when he stood up in the living area of my small cabin, confident, strong, in control. Losing a limb to scum like these men? Not possible. No Way.
The cries continued and I knew Snake had not stopped at a hand. He’d gone for the gut, moved to the heart, and now he’d take out the throat. Limb, gut, heart, throat. The best Runners could complete the kill ritual in seconds.
FTC Advisory: Dorchester Publishing provided me with a copy of Tsunami Blue. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
Opening Sentence: “And so, my friends, the moon is full, the sea calm, and the wave?”
The Review:
Kathryn “Blue” O’Malley has an unusual ability. She can predict tsunamis. As a child, Blue predicted the first giant tsunami that hit, killing her family and millions of people. Raised by her Uncle Seamus, Blue is exposed to the harsh realities of life. Kill or be killed. He taught her how to survive and defend herself. In 2023, the U.S. is just a shadow of its former glory. Ravaged by giant tsunamis, only remote islands remain. The oceans are deadly, not just because they swallowed up whole cities, but because ruthless pirates called Runners troll the deep and unpredictable waters looking for their next victims. Unfortunately for Blue, her shortwave radio broadcasts have brought her to the unwanted attention of the Runners. Blue soon finds herself on the run with the deadly and dangerous Gabriel Black, a Runner…on the run.
While Blue is certainly far from the perfect heroine, she has many redeemable qualities. She is compassionate to a fault. Despite the hardships that she’s been through, Blue is quick to stand up for what’s right and to put her own well being at risk to help others. She cares very much about humanity and tries to save as many people as she can. She is strong, capable, funny, yet vulnerable.
I like Gabriel Black, but he doesn’t make it easy. I did take issue with how he handled the situation with Max, Blue’s loyal and lovable dog. Aside from that, he’s a great alpha hero. Gabriel has definitely met his match with Blue. While he did save her a few times on their perilous journey, Blue did a fair amount of fending for herself, saving him a time or two in return. They complement each other, each counter balancing the other’s weaknesses with their respective strengths. Gabriel and Blue have sizzling chemistry, but their connection goes much deeper than their physical attraction.
Ms. Williams has created a fascinating post-apocalyptic water world. Readers will be easily drawn into this story of survival, hope and high adventure. Ms. Williams has a beautiful and descriptive writing style, expertly capturing a wide range of emotions and bringing this intense tale to life.
Overall, Tsunami Blue is well worth reading. It is a refreshing and imaginative paranormal adventure. The world of Tsunami Blue is bleak, but filled with compelling characters, and topped off with a beautiful love story. Don’t be afraid of the water – jump into Tsunami Blue.
Notable Scene:
The scream of outrage resonated throughout the tiny engine room; the echo of pain rang in my ears. The sickening copper smell of blood filled my nostrils. I willed myself not to gag. I’d dealt with plenty of blood in my time. It was just that, in some remote area of my very frightened brain, I wasn’t a hundred percent sure that limb didn’t belong to Gabriel.
I should have known better. It wasn’t his voice that was screaming. And screaming still. And it wasn’t Gabriel’s style to be caught unaware, unprepared. I remembered when he stood up in the living area of my small cabin, confident, strong, in control. Losing a limb to scum like these men? Not possible. No Way.
The cries continued and I knew Snake had not stopped at a hand. He’d gone for the gut, moved to the heart, and now he’d take out the throat. Limb, gut, heart, throat. The best Runners could complete the kill ritual in seconds.
FTC Advisory: Dorchester Publishing provided me with a copy of Tsunami Blue. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
October 15, 2011
*Rating* 3.5
*Genre* Lemme see....Science Fiction, post apocalyptic, romance..that about covers it.
*Review*
Kathryn O’Malley is known around the globe as Tsunami Blue because of her uncanny ability to know when and where the next destructive Tsunami wave is going to hit. She is never wrong. Because of this fact, she is called everything from a witch, to a goddess, to a savior, to the devil herself for creating the destructive waves that kill thousands.
In Tsunami Blue’s world, the US as well as the rest of the world, is made of up thousands, and thousands of islands where survivors have to continually fight off Runners, aka pirates who use intimidation, and murder to get what they want. These same runners have targeted Blue for death, and for their own uses because of her accuracy in forecasting when the next wave will hit.
For Blue, her only companion for the past 5 years has been her dog Max. On the anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami that claimed her family’s lives, Max finds a mysterious man lying on her beach seemingly dead. Blue quickly finds a way to save him, and then finds that she is in danger when Runners appear in force on her island. Who is this mysterious man, and why did he end up on her beach of all places?
Gabriel Black has a few secrets of his own, including an ability that, while over the top just a little bit, makes sense in why he has been trying to find Blue since 2004 and has helped stave off the Runners from finding her for the past 5 years. Gabriel ends up playing a dangerous game with Blue's life because various factions of Runers want him to find her for them.
I love Tsunami Blue's character because of the fact that she has an insight into when a Tsunami is going to hit the mainland and can talk to the sea. I love the fact that she can actually fight back and save herself from the bad guys who continually come for her because of her abilities to predict the next wave. Blue is also sweet when it comes to the twins Nick and Alec, as well as the little girl named Aubrey who she saves from New Vancouver by playing Texas Hold’em.
There is an interesting connection to real life events that happened 12/25/2004 when a large Tsunami wave devastated the Far East. In this story, Blue’s entire family was killed by a wave while she somehow survived. In real life, thousands of people lost their lives by a wave that stretched from Indonesia to India.
Because I live in sea locked state like Florida, I can actually see this happening in a much distant future when I'm dead and buried. Nature is what it is, wonderful and dangerous all at the same time. You can’t take anything for granted any longer for fear of one day finding that your entire house has been eating by a sink hole, or blown away by a hurricane or tornado.
I would have been interested in continuing to follow Blue further if Williams had made this character into a series, or even a movie of the week on Lifetime. As it is, I can't see how she can come back to this character with what happens at the ending...no spoiler zone!
*Genre* Lemme see....Science Fiction, post apocalyptic, romance..that about covers it.
*Review*
Kathryn O’Malley is known around the globe as Tsunami Blue because of her uncanny ability to know when and where the next destructive Tsunami wave is going to hit. She is never wrong. Because of this fact, she is called everything from a witch, to a goddess, to a savior, to the devil herself for creating the destructive waves that kill thousands.
In Tsunami Blue’s world, the US as well as the rest of the world, is made of up thousands, and thousands of islands where survivors have to continually fight off Runners, aka pirates who use intimidation, and murder to get what they want. These same runners have targeted Blue for death, and for their own uses because of her accuracy in forecasting when the next wave will hit.
For Blue, her only companion for the past 5 years has been her dog Max. On the anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami that claimed her family’s lives, Max finds a mysterious man lying on her beach seemingly dead. Blue quickly finds a way to save him, and then finds that she is in danger when Runners appear in force on her island. Who is this mysterious man, and why did he end up on her beach of all places?
Gabriel Black has a few secrets of his own, including an ability that, while over the top just a little bit, makes sense in why he has been trying to find Blue since 2004 and has helped stave off the Runners from finding her for the past 5 years. Gabriel ends up playing a dangerous game with Blue's life because various factions of Runers want him to find her for them.
I love Tsunami Blue's character because of the fact that she has an insight into when a Tsunami is going to hit the mainland and can talk to the sea. I love the fact that she can actually fight back and save herself from the bad guys who continually come for her because of her abilities to predict the next wave. Blue is also sweet when it comes to the twins Nick and Alec, as well as the little girl named Aubrey who she saves from New Vancouver by playing Texas Hold’em.
There is an interesting connection to real life events that happened 12/25/2004 when a large Tsunami wave devastated the Far East. In this story, Blue’s entire family was killed by a wave while she somehow survived. In real life, thousands of people lost their lives by a wave that stretched from Indonesia to India.
Because I live in sea locked state like Florida, I can actually see this happening in a much distant future when I'm dead and buried. Nature is what it is, wonderful and dangerous all at the same time. You can’t take anything for granted any longer for fear of one day finding that your entire house has been eating by a sink hole, or blown away by a hurricane or tornado.
I would have been interested in continuing to follow Blue further if Williams had made this character into a series, or even a movie of the week on Lifetime. As it is, I can't see how she can come back to this character with what happens at the ending...no spoiler zone!
July 18, 2010
What would have happened if the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in 2004 was just the first of many that ended up destroying the world as we know it. This is the world the Blue lives in – one where there are no countries since the waves destroyed almost everything and a lawless and dangerous world now exists. But Blue has an advantage over the other survivors – the ocean speaks to her and warns her when other waves are coming. Though this gift also has made her a target for those who wish to control the waves – the ruthless pirates known as the Runners. Blue is currently living on an island trying to keep hidden from the Runners while broadcasting what the ocean tells her to save other survivors. The only “person” she has for company is her dog Max who she often chats with (I talk to my dog too so I can appreciate a heroine who does this as well). One night when Max and Blue are out for a stroll they come across the body of a man that appears dead. Blue is quick to resuscitate him and brings him back to her cabin to later determine whether or not he is an enemy when he wakes. Though Blue doesn’t get much time to determine whether the man, Gabriel is a friend or foe, since the next day the Runners catch up with her and she is forced to trust Gabriel and flee with him.
There was definitely a Mad Max/Water World feeling to the book and the lawlessness and brutality of Blue’s existence was engaging as it was scary. Blue has been raised since a child in this increasingly dangerous world and she struggles to maintain hope that there are people out there that listen to her warnings from what the ocean tells her. One of her greatest fears is that there are no children that survived the waves and as Gabriel helps Blue escape the Runners she gets glimpses of what’s left of the Pacific Northwest area. And for the most part it isn’t pretty.
This book is a great mix of action, adventure, and romance in one quick read. Gabriel, otherwise known as "what the ocean washed up", seems to want to help Blue though he does have ties to the Runners. It’s hard to know whether Blue should trust him or not since he keeps his intentions hidden from her, though Blue can’t help but be attracted to him, he gives her coffee and red meat – things in short supply in their world. Truthfully a world without coffee would be a very difficult one for me to survive in – so I can totally understand her attraction to Gabriel. Though coffee isn’t the only thing Gabriel has going for him and as Blue gets to know him better she feels drawn to him as well. I have to admit I loved reading about their little “lessons” during the book and what buds between them is pretty hot. The constant threat of his possible betrayal also kept the story engaging since you’re never quite sure what his intentions are for most the book.
Overall 4 out of 5 for me, the ocean washed up a pretty sexy package for Blue and she knows how to use it.
There was definitely a Mad Max/Water World feeling to the book and the lawlessness and brutality of Blue’s existence was engaging as it was scary. Blue has been raised since a child in this increasingly dangerous world and she struggles to maintain hope that there are people out there that listen to her warnings from what the ocean tells her. One of her greatest fears is that there are no children that survived the waves and as Gabriel helps Blue escape the Runners she gets glimpses of what’s left of the Pacific Northwest area. And for the most part it isn’t pretty.
This book is a great mix of action, adventure, and romance in one quick read. Gabriel, otherwise known as "what the ocean washed up", seems to want to help Blue though he does have ties to the Runners. It’s hard to know whether Blue should trust him or not since he keeps his intentions hidden from her, though Blue can’t help but be attracted to him, he gives her coffee and red meat – things in short supply in their world. Truthfully a world without coffee would be a very difficult one for me to survive in – so I can totally understand her attraction to Gabriel. Though coffee isn’t the only thing Gabriel has going for him and as Blue gets to know him better she feels drawn to him as well. I have to admit I loved reading about their little “lessons” during the book and what buds between them is pretty hot. The constant threat of his possible betrayal also kept the story engaging since you’re never quite sure what his intentions are for most the book.
Overall 4 out of 5 for me, the ocean washed up a pretty sexy package for Blue and she knows how to use it.
November 18, 2012
This is story telling at the finest. The author has a great sense of story, balance, action and romance.
SYNOPSIS:
Earth has been destroyed by tidal waves or ‘tsunamis’. Billions are dead, most of civilization is under water. Governments have failed en masse, and pirates rule the seas, islands, and coastal towns.
“Blue” lives alone with her dog on an island. She can accurately predict tsunamis by supernatural means, and warns people over shortwave radio. She saves thousands, but grieves and is weighted down by guilt for the ones she didn’t save.
One night, a beautiful man is washed ashore dying from hypothermia. Blue saves him, then regrets it because she discovers Gabriel is a ‘runner’ or pirate. The pirates want to capture Blue, because he who predicts tsunamis, rules the world. Gabriel forces Blue to leave her isolation on the island and flee for their lives from the pirate/runner fleet.
PROS:
The Story!!! It was fun and exciting and suspenseful. I actually got up early on a Saturday to read it. A Saturday. My only day to sleep in. Just so you understand how enjoyable it is.
The paranormal aspect was handled elegantly. It was merely a backdrop for the story.
I loved the twists and turns. Not knowing if Gabriel is a good guy falling in love with Blue or an evil runner who is a master at manipulating a lonely young woman’s emotions. The novel leaves you guessing up to the very end.
CONS:
The only significant thing I noticed was the pace of the narrative was a bit disjointed and jumpy at the cage scene. I wasn’t quite sure who was where during that scene.
OPINION:
Couldn’t put it down, so it gets 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Earth has been destroyed by tidal waves or ‘tsunamis’. Billions are dead, most of civilization is under water. Governments have failed en masse, and pirates rule the seas, islands, and coastal towns.
“Blue” lives alone with her dog on an island. She can accurately predict tsunamis by supernatural means, and warns people over shortwave radio. She saves thousands, but grieves and is weighted down by guilt for the ones she didn’t save.
One night, a beautiful man is washed ashore dying from hypothermia. Blue saves him, then regrets it because she discovers Gabriel is a ‘runner’ or pirate. The pirates want to capture Blue, because he who predicts tsunamis, rules the world. Gabriel forces Blue to leave her isolation on the island and flee for their lives from the pirate/runner fleet.
PROS:
The Story!!! It was fun and exciting and suspenseful. I actually got up early on a Saturday to read it. A Saturday. My only day to sleep in. Just so you understand how enjoyable it is.
The paranormal aspect was handled elegantly. It was merely a backdrop for the story.
I loved the twists and turns. Not knowing if Gabriel is a good guy falling in love with Blue or an evil runner who is a master at manipulating a lonely young woman’s emotions. The novel leaves you guessing up to the very end.
CONS:
The only significant thing I noticed was the pace of the narrative was a bit disjointed and jumpy at the cage scene. I wasn’t quite sure who was where during that scene.
OPINION:
Couldn’t put it down, so it gets 5 stars.
January 29, 2013
Gayle Ann Williams builds an amazing, tsunami-ravaged world where civilization is on the edge of evaporation and those who have survived either hate or hang onto a voice coming from their ham radios: Tsunami Blue. The water talks to her, warns of "monster waves coming," and she feels compelled to use her gift to save lives. But everyone wants a piece of her, especially the Runners, brutal and ruthless modern-day sea pirates who see many ways to profit from Blue. If only they can capture her. She's on the run and forced to rely on Runner Gabriel Black. Will he betray her or help her?
Set in the Pacific Northwest amid the San Juan Islands, the book is one wave of action after another, buffeting the gutsy heroine who isn't afraid to take on the Big and the Bad because she was raised by one. It is an interesting view of the destruction to families and lives by natural disasters as Blue comes upon orphaned children who watched parents being swept away forever. What happens to society when everyone is alone, support services are gone, and food and goods are scarce? Do we choose to stay human or become animals?
The cover art is stunning, and the eBook, which I read, was well formatted and user friendly. This is more than a paranormal romance. I would like the dialogue (both external and internal) to be a little snappier and less predictable, but this is a good debut novel. I look forward to more from Williams and the Tsunami Blue series.
— Sherry Roberts, author of Book of Mercy and Maud's House
Set in the Pacific Northwest amid the San Juan Islands, the book is one wave of action after another, buffeting the gutsy heroine who isn't afraid to take on the Big and the Bad because she was raised by one. It is an interesting view of the destruction to families and lives by natural disasters as Blue comes upon orphaned children who watched parents being swept away forever. What happens to society when everyone is alone, support services are gone, and food and goods are scarce? Do we choose to stay human or become animals?
The cover art is stunning, and the eBook, which I read, was well formatted and user friendly. This is more than a paranormal romance. I would like the dialogue (both external and internal) to be a little snappier and less predictable, but this is a good debut novel. I look forward to more from Williams and the Tsunami Blue series.
— Sherry Roberts, author of Book of Mercy and Maud's House
October 12, 2014
I have to say that this book was much better than what I expected, it was one of my maybe books. You know, those books you think look somewhat interesting, but could turn out to be duds.
This book is set in a world where Tsunami's have taken over the world, most of what we know is covered with water. This new existence is a rough one for those left behind, one where Runner's (read pirates) are all over, reeking havoc.
At the center of this world is a woman named Tsunami Blue. Blue has a unique talent of predicting tsunami's, which she broadcasts on short wave radio to warn people. With her talent she is hunted by the Runner's who want to use her to predict where to avoid and where to go to loot next.
While hiding away from the Runner's, Blue comes across a naked man, one who has the markings of a Runner. But Blue being a the kind of person she is, she can't let him die, and takes him in. At this point things really start to happen.
Even with actions and words Blue isn't sure if she can trust this man, but she can't afford to not trust him either. The two of them come to a precious partnership which take them deep into the Runner's world, where they learn a lot about each other and themselves.
The world this book was set in was interesting, I hope this author continues to write more in it.
This book is set in a world where Tsunami's have taken over the world, most of what we know is covered with water. This new existence is a rough one for those left behind, one where Runner's (read pirates) are all over, reeking havoc.
At the center of this world is a woman named Tsunami Blue. Blue has a unique talent of predicting tsunami's, which she broadcasts on short wave radio to warn people. With her talent she is hunted by the Runner's who want to use her to predict where to avoid and where to go to loot next.
While hiding away from the Runner's, Blue comes across a naked man, one who has the markings of a Runner. But Blue being a the kind of person she is, she can't let him die, and takes him in. At this point things really start to happen.
Even with actions and words Blue isn't sure if she can trust this man, but she can't afford to not trust him either. The two of them come to a precious partnership which take them deep into the Runner's world, where they learn a lot about each other and themselves.
The world this book was set in was interesting, I hope this author continues to write more in it.
May 20, 2016
This dystopic romance is unique; I am attracted to it as its setting is in the San Juan Islands of Washington US, a stone's throw from where I live in Vancouver BC. So, I am SO feeling this setting and world building, like intimately. And it's an interesting story concept too, with a very slight Waterworld feel. The year here is 2023 & the world has been devastated, drenched by killer tsunamis. and resulting in a series of islands left. The 24 year old loner with a dog, Kathryn O’Malley broadcasts on the airwaves as Tsunami Blue & uses her unusual gift to warn when a tsunami is on its way. The ocean speaks to Blue.
In this world she is always on the lookout for pirates known as Runners who would capture Blue and use her gift. Ever alert, even when a handsome stranger washes up on her shores. Gabriel Black looks hot, even near death but she does eventually nurse him out of hypothermia, only to find out he’s an enemy.
Runners want to use her special talents for their own fortune identify and pursue her; Blue's only hope lies with the recovering stranger who might just be working for them as far as she knows. Her attraction fuels hope, the two with her faithful doggie Max fight to survive in this wet world.
A solid read at four and a half stars.
In this world she is always on the lookout for pirates known as Runners who would capture Blue and use her gift. Ever alert, even when a handsome stranger washes up on her shores. Gabriel Black looks hot, even near death but she does eventually nurse him out of hypothermia, only to find out he’s an enemy.
Runners want to use her special talents for their own fortune identify and pursue her; Blue's only hope lies with the recovering stranger who might just be working for them as far as she knows. Her attraction fuels hope, the two with her faithful doggie Max fight to survive in this wet world.
A solid read at four and a half stars.
October 11, 2010
3.5 stars for originality and my love of ocean stories- It was a great story with a girl that the ocean talks to, it tells her of up coming tsunami's starting with the one in Singapore 2004. The world become a "water world" with pirates all nasty and disgusting, reeking terror on sea and land. The nasties are truly nasty and the cities left are ugly and ruled with gangs and thieves.This part was very good.
I had trouble with another part of the book, she is a virgin/he is not, she fell for him too easy. It did not fit her character at all, she became this wishy washy girl instead of a tough survivalist we were lead to believe she is. Oh, and this part made me want to scream, he practiced with her to get her ready for his enormous...over and over, oh please don't put that in your next novel Ms. Williams the story was good on it's own with out the stupid bits. Even with the few flaws and yes there were just a few, I look forward to reading more work from this author
A fast book I finished in two days.
I had trouble with another part of the book, she is a virgin/he is not, she fell for him too easy. It did not fit her character at all, she became this wishy washy girl instead of a tough survivalist we were lead to believe she is. Oh, and this part made me want to scream, he practiced with her to get her ready for his enormous...over and over, oh please don't put that in your next novel Ms. Williams the story was good on it's own with out the stupid bits. Even with the few flaws and yes there were just a few, I look forward to reading more work from this author
A fast book I finished in two days.
September 19, 2019
An Amazing Start To A Great Series!
For Kathryn O’Malley it began the day she screamed at people to run from the Tsunami that was coming in Thailand! That was the day she lost her whole family. Since that day she's been known as Tsunami Blue.
Now she's grown up and she's the one that warns people when there's going to be a tsunami. Why? The Sea tells her when it's going to happen and she wants to warn people before it happens. The problem? Sea Pirates known as Runners want her for her talent. Time for her is running out.
One night she finds a guy almost dead and saves him. Then learns that he is one of the Runners she was hiding from. And now the adventure begins!
This book was very hard to put down and I can't wait to read the second book Riders On The Storm! Thank you Gayle Ann Williams for a fantastic book that was hard to put down!
For Kathryn O’Malley it began the day she screamed at people to run from the Tsunami that was coming in Thailand! That was the day she lost her whole family. Since that day she's been known as Tsunami Blue.
Now she's grown up and she's the one that warns people when there's going to be a tsunami. Why? The Sea tells her when it's going to happen and she wants to warn people before it happens. The problem? Sea Pirates known as Runners want her for her talent. Time for her is running out.
One night she finds a guy almost dead and saves him. Then learns that he is one of the Runners she was hiding from. And now the adventure begins!
This book was very hard to put down and I can't wait to read the second book Riders On The Storm! Thank you Gayle Ann Williams for a fantastic book that was hard to put down!
April 24, 2021
I am extremely sensitive to blood and violence. This book was significantly more bloody than I prefer to read.
The story and characters were excellently written, so if you are less sensitive to blood, dismemberment, and frequent memories of child abuse than I am, it's a great book.
The story and characters were excellently written, so if you are less sensitive to blood, dismemberment, and frequent memories of child abuse than I am, it's a great book.
September 11, 2019
Bought this in Friday Harbor from the very nice author. Was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. Bought the follow up.
May 2, 2021
Really liked this book. It was set in a dystopian world, with lots of action, mystery, monsters, dogs, cute orphans, and a nice romance, to top it all off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2012
Tsunami Blue, a post apocalyptic paranormal romance, is set in the year 2023, when most of the Earth, following a series of cataclysmic tsunamis, becomes covered by water with small isolated island communities. Modern technology and conveniences have all but disappeared under the waves, which continue to plague the world.
We meet Blue, the 24 year old heroine, who has lived alone on an island with her dog since her uncle was murdered by Runners, violent pirates who rule the waves. Blue is special – she ‘listens’ to the sea and can predict where and when the next big waves will hit. She transmits this information over the radio. Blue chooses to remain alone due to this ability, knowing how valuable she would be to the Runners if they captured her and her gift used by them to extort valuable goods and punish and terrorise communities.
Blue’s peaceful existence is shattered one day when a man washes up on the beach, half dead. Blue rescues him and saves his life, learning that his name is Gabriel Black. She is kidnapped by him the next day and forced to flee her island and her home, as it is overrun with Runners looking for her and trying to take her away from Gabriel. She is left wondering what Gabriel wants with her and what her fate will be. Suspicious that he too is a Runner, she tries to prevent the growth of their mutual attraction and resolves to escape him.
The story is narrated in the first person. This is effective in that whilst we are privy to Blue’s personal feelings and motivations we too are uncertain of Gabriel’s true intent and this both heightens and prolongs the suspense, which added to my enjoyment of the novel. In fact I could not put it down until I had finished it! I liked the author’s writing style, which was sharp and descriptive enough to paint a vivid picture of the post –apocalyptic world, without getting bogged down in detail. I imagined the world to have elements of ‘Mad Max’, ‘Waterworld’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ The dialogue between all of the characters was witty and entertaining, particularly the repartee between Blue and Gabriel.
Blue is a strong heroine with an interesting past. She prefers her life of solitude as it gives her the freedom to broadcast what she knows about the next big wave in the hope of saving others. Life has taught her valuable survival and combat skills and she has plenty of chances to put these to use in the book – she does not just use her knives to filet fish! She is devoted to her dog Max and is loyal not only to Gabriel, even when she is suspicious of him, but can also be relied on by other characters, who the author introduces us to. She despises Runners and suspects that Gabriel, the man she is overwhelmingly attracted to, is one, thus creating a great deal of tension, not least sexual, throughout the book.
Gabriel, is all male and Blue is instantly attracted to him. I wondered what he wanted from Blue and whether he could be trusted not to hand her over to one of the groups of Runners who were pursuing her, particularly as he appears to be a Runner himself. He is clearly attracted to Blue and has a compassionate side, which he exhibits from the start, not just in relation to how he treats Blue, but others. He also has a wicked sense of humour and is a skilled fighter.
The other main characters include Trace and Indigo, the leaders of the two opposing factions of Runners who are eager to capture Blue and use her for their own nefarious ends. Both characters were twisted and evil and there are descriptions of many violent scenes within the book, in a society where only the strong survive and it does not pay to exhibit a weakness. The violence highlights how social order has collapsed since the apocalypse. The author did well to also imbue the sea with feelings, to the extent that it becomes a character in its own right, its actions adding to the twists and turns in the plot.
The romance between Blue and Gabriel was both sweet and hot, but not graphic and it provided an excellent counterpoint to the violence going on around them and the fear of where and when the next big wave would come. The paranormal elements of Blue’s communication with the sea were well done and there is a nice twist at the end, which I did not see coming.
I would recommend this book to lovers of post apocalyptic tales, particularly those who enjoy romance with the story. I believe that the style of the book and the witty dialogue, along with violence and ‘kick ass’ hero and heroine, would also appeal to lovers of urban fantasy. I was totally absorbed in the book and will be reading the next in the series.
We meet Blue, the 24 year old heroine, who has lived alone on an island with her dog since her uncle was murdered by Runners, violent pirates who rule the waves. Blue is special – she ‘listens’ to the sea and can predict where and when the next big waves will hit. She transmits this information over the radio. Blue chooses to remain alone due to this ability, knowing how valuable she would be to the Runners if they captured her and her gift used by them to extort valuable goods and punish and terrorise communities.
Blue’s peaceful existence is shattered one day when a man washes up on the beach, half dead. Blue rescues him and saves his life, learning that his name is Gabriel Black. She is kidnapped by him the next day and forced to flee her island and her home, as it is overrun with Runners looking for her and trying to take her away from Gabriel. She is left wondering what Gabriel wants with her and what her fate will be. Suspicious that he too is a Runner, she tries to prevent the growth of their mutual attraction and resolves to escape him.
The story is narrated in the first person. This is effective in that whilst we are privy to Blue’s personal feelings and motivations we too are uncertain of Gabriel’s true intent and this both heightens and prolongs the suspense, which added to my enjoyment of the novel. In fact I could not put it down until I had finished it! I liked the author’s writing style, which was sharp and descriptive enough to paint a vivid picture of the post –apocalyptic world, without getting bogged down in detail. I imagined the world to have elements of ‘Mad Max’, ‘Waterworld’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ The dialogue between all of the characters was witty and entertaining, particularly the repartee between Blue and Gabriel.
Blue is a strong heroine with an interesting past. She prefers her life of solitude as it gives her the freedom to broadcast what she knows about the next big wave in the hope of saving others. Life has taught her valuable survival and combat skills and she has plenty of chances to put these to use in the book – she does not just use her knives to filet fish! She is devoted to her dog Max and is loyal not only to Gabriel, even when she is suspicious of him, but can also be relied on by other characters, who the author introduces us to. She despises Runners and suspects that Gabriel, the man she is overwhelmingly attracted to, is one, thus creating a great deal of tension, not least sexual, throughout the book.
Gabriel, is all male and Blue is instantly attracted to him. I wondered what he wanted from Blue and whether he could be trusted not to hand her over to one of the groups of Runners who were pursuing her, particularly as he appears to be a Runner himself. He is clearly attracted to Blue and has a compassionate side, which he exhibits from the start, not just in relation to how he treats Blue, but others. He also has a wicked sense of humour and is a skilled fighter.
The other main characters include Trace and Indigo, the leaders of the two opposing factions of Runners who are eager to capture Blue and use her for their own nefarious ends. Both characters were twisted and evil and there are descriptions of many violent scenes within the book, in a society where only the strong survive and it does not pay to exhibit a weakness. The violence highlights how social order has collapsed since the apocalypse. The author did well to also imbue the sea with feelings, to the extent that it becomes a character in its own right, its actions adding to the twists and turns in the plot.
The romance between Blue and Gabriel was both sweet and hot, but not graphic and it provided an excellent counterpoint to the violence going on around them and the fear of where and when the next big wave would come. The paranormal elements of Blue’s communication with the sea were well done and there is a nice twist at the end, which I did not see coming.
I would recommend this book to lovers of post apocalyptic tales, particularly those who enjoy romance with the story. I believe that the style of the book and the witty dialogue, along with violence and ‘kick ass’ hero and heroine, would also appeal to lovers of urban fantasy. I was totally absorbed in the book and will be reading the next in the series.
September 30, 2010
If Goodreads would let me give half stars this would be 3.5 stars
'Tsunami Blue' is set in an alternative future. We all remember the terrible tsunami that hit Phuket in 2004. Well, in this world this was the first of many devastating waves to plunder the globe. The world as we know it is destroyed, much of it now underwater and society as we know it has crumbled into lawlessness.
Most of the seas are run by Runners. Pirates to you and me. Ruthless, barbaric men who have little regard for human life and think only of their own empires and survival.
Kathryn O'Malley, known as Tsunami Blue has a gift, or a curse depending on how you look at it. The sea speaks to her. She knows when the next wave is going to hit and where. She uses this gift to help others. Broadcasting the next wave's location over an old fashioned radio in the hope that people will hear her and move to safety.
While many people think of her as a saviour, there are others that think her gift is evil. Then there are the Runners. The group that own Tsunami Blue would rule the seas, and they will stop at nothing to possess her.
Because of this Tsunami Blue lives in hiding, with nothing more than her faithful dog Max for company. Raised by her uncle, a Runner himself she's under no illusion of their ruthlessness. But, in thanks to this upbringing she also knows how to look after herself.
Then, one evening a handsome stranger washes up on her island. Barely alive, Blue decides to save him worrying she may very well regret the decision later. But she soon discovers that Gabriel is a Runner, with a separate group of Runners fast on his tail. Runners intent on possessing her. If she's to survive she needs to trust Gabriel so that they can both flee for safety.
When I was reading the first chapter of this book, I thought wow, I'm going to love this. With its dark, dystopian, futuristic setting and fantastically gutsy heroine. The setting of this book is brilliantly drawn, and you can see the world as if you were living and breathing in it yourself.
Blue is one tough heroine. Having lived on her own since she was thirteen, she knows how to survive. The terror and loneliness of this survival is depicted with a sharp edge, and you're left under no illusion as to how dark and at times violent this survival has been. The first pages of this book have you gripped and they don't stop turning once you've started.
The one thing that let's this story down is the relationship between Gabriel and Blue. Inevitably Blue does not trust Gabriel. He is a man of contrasts. A fierce fighter and a Runner, but caring and compassionate at the same time. The chemistry builds between nicely and you route for them to end up together as you would in any romance. But right up until the end even when Gabriel has proved himself time and time again to Blue she doesn't trust him. Just as she's beginning to something will happen and she doesn't trust him again. This became a repeated theme in the book and it frustrated me a little.
VERDICT:
This is a superbly drawn book with a compelling dystopian setting. While I did have a few issues with the relationship between Blue and Gabriel, I would still not hesitate to recommend it.
A great read.
This review originally appeared on www.bookchickcity.com
'Tsunami Blue' is set in an alternative future. We all remember the terrible tsunami that hit Phuket in 2004. Well, in this world this was the first of many devastating waves to plunder the globe. The world as we know it is destroyed, much of it now underwater and society as we know it has crumbled into lawlessness.
Most of the seas are run by Runners. Pirates to you and me. Ruthless, barbaric men who have little regard for human life and think only of their own empires and survival.
Kathryn O'Malley, known as Tsunami Blue has a gift, or a curse depending on how you look at it. The sea speaks to her. She knows when the next wave is going to hit and where. She uses this gift to help others. Broadcasting the next wave's location over an old fashioned radio in the hope that people will hear her and move to safety.
While many people think of her as a saviour, there are others that think her gift is evil. Then there are the Runners. The group that own Tsunami Blue would rule the seas, and they will stop at nothing to possess her.
Because of this Tsunami Blue lives in hiding, with nothing more than her faithful dog Max for company. Raised by her uncle, a Runner himself she's under no illusion of their ruthlessness. But, in thanks to this upbringing she also knows how to look after herself.
Then, one evening a handsome stranger washes up on her island. Barely alive, Blue decides to save him worrying she may very well regret the decision later. But she soon discovers that Gabriel is a Runner, with a separate group of Runners fast on his tail. Runners intent on possessing her. If she's to survive she needs to trust Gabriel so that they can both flee for safety.
When I was reading the first chapter of this book, I thought wow, I'm going to love this. With its dark, dystopian, futuristic setting and fantastically gutsy heroine. The setting of this book is brilliantly drawn, and you can see the world as if you were living and breathing in it yourself.
Blue is one tough heroine. Having lived on her own since she was thirteen, she knows how to survive. The terror and loneliness of this survival is depicted with a sharp edge, and you're left under no illusion as to how dark and at times violent this survival has been. The first pages of this book have you gripped and they don't stop turning once you've started.
The one thing that let's this story down is the relationship between Gabriel and Blue. Inevitably Blue does not trust Gabriel. He is a man of contrasts. A fierce fighter and a Runner, but caring and compassionate at the same time. The chemistry builds between nicely and you route for them to end up together as you would in any romance. But right up until the end even when Gabriel has proved himself time and time again to Blue she doesn't trust him. Just as she's beginning to something will happen and she doesn't trust him again. This became a repeated theme in the book and it frustrated me a little.
VERDICT:
This is a superbly drawn book with a compelling dystopian setting. While I did have a few issues with the relationship between Blue and Gabriel, I would still not hesitate to recommend it.
A great read.
This review originally appeared on www.bookchickcity.com
May 14, 2012
Really interesting premise. The world has been destroyed by massive Tsunamis. Land masses consist of small islands throughout the seas, which are overrun by despicable pirates called Runners. The world, as we know it, ceases to exist. Money means nothing, coffee is something to kill for. I enjoyed this take on dystopian fiction, I wish there was more about the world and how it has functioned and changed in the 20 years since the Tsunamis first started occurring. It is a wretched world and how horrible to think that people could so easily lose their humanity.
Blue has a unique gift, or a curse. The seas speak to her. Sometimes they help her. Sometimes they hurt. Interesting, but I wish I learned more about this, especially why she was the chosen one. The "hero" is Gabriel Black, Blue's dark angel, her tough guy. He has a really interesting back story, something I wish was focused on more. Blue had a very tragic childhood, explained quite well throughout the book. She definitely has reasons for being angry, tough, and jaded. I would think that the things she experienced as a child, and the isolation as a young adult, would have made her a little insane. She did some crazy things, but I think we were supposed to see those as brave. She's definitely a touch chick that you wouldn't want to mess with.
Which leads me to one of my problems with her character. She fell too hard and easy for Gabriel. She dropped her guard almost immediately with him, and in her world, that could have meant certain death. Throughout the book I wanted her to demand answers from him. She's too busy musing about his tanned body and his shiny black hair. She waits and we have to progress to the climax at the end to get some answers. This frustrated me. Why would she have not asked immediately things like, who are you, what do you want, how do you do that? Gabriel is still quite the enigma.
Pretty much non-stop action, which was very good and vivid. The dialogue was pretty B-movie cliched, especially when it came to Blue acting tough. Blue says early on that her education has been in pop culture that she has read from surviving magazines. To hit this point home, there are many pop culture references, from MC Hammer to "A Kodak Moment." Some of these were a bit distracting and really wouldn't have made an impact, even from old magazines, on a child who was 5 years old in the year 2004. That's just me, but sometimes less is more. I would have preferred more from this new world than name dropping from "years ago". The epilogue was the standard romance book finale and didn't really wrap anything up or answer any remaining questions.
This book was pretty sexual and very violent. Don't be fooled by the cover on this one, it is most definitely not YA. More towards UF because of the violence.
In all, I liked this book. It was a fast read with a really unique premise and take on the dystopian world. Plotting and characterization weren't perfect, but it was a good read. 3.5 Stars.
Blue has a unique gift, or a curse. The seas speak to her. Sometimes they help her. Sometimes they hurt. Interesting, but I wish I learned more about this, especially why she was the chosen one. The "hero" is Gabriel Black, Blue's dark angel, her tough guy. He has a really interesting back story, something I wish was focused on more. Blue had a very tragic childhood, explained quite well throughout the book. She definitely has reasons for being angry, tough, and jaded. I would think that the things she experienced as a child, and the isolation as a young adult, would have made her a little insane. She did some crazy things, but I think we were supposed to see those as brave. She's definitely a touch chick that you wouldn't want to mess with.
Which leads me to one of my problems with her character. She fell too hard and easy for Gabriel. She dropped her guard almost immediately with him, and in her world, that could have meant certain death. Throughout the book I wanted her to demand answers from him. She's too busy musing about his tanned body and his shiny black hair. She waits and we have to progress to the climax at the end to get some answers. This frustrated me. Why would she have not asked immediately things like, who are you, what do you want, how do you do that? Gabriel is still quite the enigma.
Pretty much non-stop action, which was very good and vivid. The dialogue was pretty B-movie cliched, especially when it came to Blue acting tough. Blue says early on that her education has been in pop culture that she has read from surviving magazines. To hit this point home, there are many pop culture references, from MC Hammer to "A Kodak Moment." Some of these were a bit distracting and really wouldn't have made an impact, even from old magazines, on a child who was 5 years old in the year 2004. That's just me, but sometimes less is more. I would have preferred more from this new world than name dropping from "years ago". The epilogue was the standard romance book finale and didn't really wrap anything up or answer any remaining questions.
This book was pretty sexual and very violent. Don't be fooled by the cover on this one, it is most definitely not YA. More towards UF because of the violence.
In all, I liked this book. It was a fast read with a really unique premise and take on the dystopian world. Plotting and characterization weren't perfect, but it was a good read. 3.5 Stars.
April 20, 2010
The Earth of 2023 has been devastated by a series of tsunamis where the majority of the planet is underwater. Kathryn O' Malley, known only as Tsunami Blue, lives on the San Juan Islands near Washington State. She was once a celebrity, who at a very young age, was able to predicting when a killer wave is coming. She now uses her shortwave radio to try and give people fair warning. Blue is all alone with only her dog Max to keep her company since her parents and twin brother where kill by a tsunami nineteen years ago. Blue lives in fear, because pirates called Runners are looking for her. Whoever has the power over Blue, will rule the world.
The day after Christmas, Blue finds an unconscious, drop dead gorgeous man washed up on her beach. Instead of leaving him to die, she helps him recover. Blue is in for a shock when she sees a design of 666 on the handle of a knife he left on the shore. This is a sign of a runner and now Blue will kill him, regardless of her attraction to him. After a fight ensues between them, which she loses, she finds out that his name is Gabriel Black and he has been searching for her for years. Gabriel has been trying to keep Blue hidden from the runners. She now has no choice but to go with him because the runners have found her and are out for blood. Blue has to put her trust in a man who keeps things from her as well as the runners on their tail who will stop at nothing until Blue is theirs.
Tsunami Blue is more than your average post apocalyptic story. This is one with a high scenes adventure, suspense and a romance that although has promise, doesn’t deliver all that much because of the overall lack of connection between Gabriel and Blue. Gabriel's reasons for the way he feels for Blue are not all that solid and a bit weak. His survival techniques are also far fetched. He had his moments where I really enjoyed the way he handled Blue and the dangerous situations they find themselves in, but the majority of the time I found the writing to be unfocused. I also couldn't connect with Blue, who comes across as too confrontational and has a habit of repeating herself way too often. She also calls Gabriel, "tough guy" way too much, which grated on my nerves. Their love scenes were rushed and seemed out of place, especially because Blue doesn't trust Gabriel as for as she can throw him. But that still doesn't stop her from enjoying the practicing she and Gabriel do in his bed when there are no bad guys storming his boat.
The scenes where Blue and Gabriel fight to the death do bring forth some thrills and on the edge of your seat action readers can come to expect. The main villain is more cartoonish if anything and the tension and drama came across a bit weak and not all that shocking. More of a shock-light. Tsunami Blue does have a high concept that with a little more depth, could have worked in so many ways.
The day after Christmas, Blue finds an unconscious, drop dead gorgeous man washed up on her beach. Instead of leaving him to die, she helps him recover. Blue is in for a shock when she sees a design of 666 on the handle of a knife he left on the shore. This is a sign of a runner and now Blue will kill him, regardless of her attraction to him. After a fight ensues between them, which she loses, she finds out that his name is Gabriel Black and he has been searching for her for years. Gabriel has been trying to keep Blue hidden from the runners. She now has no choice but to go with him because the runners have found her and are out for blood. Blue has to put her trust in a man who keeps things from her as well as the runners on their tail who will stop at nothing until Blue is theirs.
Tsunami Blue is more than your average post apocalyptic story. This is one with a high scenes adventure, suspense and a romance that although has promise, doesn’t deliver all that much because of the overall lack of connection between Gabriel and Blue. Gabriel's reasons for the way he feels for Blue are not all that solid and a bit weak. His survival techniques are also far fetched. He had his moments where I really enjoyed the way he handled Blue and the dangerous situations they find themselves in, but the majority of the time I found the writing to be unfocused. I also couldn't connect with Blue, who comes across as too confrontational and has a habit of repeating herself way too often. She also calls Gabriel, "tough guy" way too much, which grated on my nerves. Their love scenes were rushed and seemed out of place, especially because Blue doesn't trust Gabriel as for as she can throw him. But that still doesn't stop her from enjoying the practicing she and Gabriel do in his bed when there are no bad guys storming his boat.
The scenes where Blue and Gabriel fight to the death do bring forth some thrills and on the edge of your seat action readers can come to expect. The main villain is more cartoonish if anything and the tension and drama came across a bit weak and not all that shocking. More of a shock-light. Tsunami Blue does have a high concept that with a little more depth, could have worked in so many ways.
March 31, 2010
Tsunami Blue can talk to the ocean, or at least it talks to her and rarely listens to what she has to say. When she was younger she was able to save people from a gigantic wave that wiped out whole countries and left little islands that are vulnerable to more waves. The ocean does warn her when a tsunami is coming so that she may broadcast over the airwaves to let people across what's left of the world know they need to get to high ground. Some people believe while others do not, some people think she is a savior while others thing she is an evil witch. Living in a world overrun with Runners, futuristic pirates, isn't easy and when they come after Blue wanting to put her powers to use, she must take up with a very unexpected ally.
The way the world is split up into islands Blue is cutoff from all humanity. It's just her and her dog Max living life and waiting for the next wave or the next group of runners to come and invade her home. When Blue and Max come across a man who seems to be dead on their beach, she doesn't know whether to save him or make sure he's dead and stays that way. She ends up being drawn to him and decides to save his life. Turns out his name is Gabriel Black and he's a runner, but instead of sticking around for a whole slew of runners that plan on capturing her, she decides to deal with just one, Gabriel Black.
I must say that Gabriel Black must be one hell of an attractive man. Because if a man left my dog for dead, I'd definitely kill him, not fall in love with him. As soon as this happened in the book I was pissed. It was almost enough to make me put the book down, but the story is actually really good so I of obviously stick with it, and there is also the hope that Max may still be alive back on the island.
There is a huge issue with being up front and honest in this book, and it ends up making Blue seem whiny and on the verge of annoying. Which isn't really the case, she's just getting bits and pieces of information tossed at her instead of it just being given all the information up front. Gabriel loves Blue but it's impossible to understand why. Seeing as he's never really met her and only followed her via her broadcasts.
Even with the problems I had with the book it was still action packed and fun to read. Blue is likable and she honestly cares about the good people and kids she comes into contact with. She's also a fighter, an actual fighter, she's great with a knife. Plus, she's smart, and understands how people work, thanks to her Uncle Seamus (a runner) who raised her.
Overall I'm digging this world and hope there is more because I had fun reading Tsunami Blue.
The way the world is split up into islands Blue is cutoff from all humanity. It's just her and her dog Max living life and waiting for the next wave or the next group of runners to come and invade her home. When Blue and Max come across a man who seems to be dead on their beach, she doesn't know whether to save him or make sure he's dead and stays that way. She ends up being drawn to him and decides to save his life. Turns out his name is Gabriel Black and he's a runner, but instead of sticking around for a whole slew of runners that plan on capturing her, she decides to deal with just one, Gabriel Black.
I must say that Gabriel Black must be one hell of an attractive man. Because if a man left my dog for dead, I'd definitely kill him, not fall in love with him. As soon as this happened in the book I was pissed. It was almost enough to make me put the book down, but the story is actually really good so I of obviously stick with it, and there is also the hope that Max may still be alive back on the island.
There is a huge issue with being up front and honest in this book, and it ends up making Blue seem whiny and on the verge of annoying. Which isn't really the case, she's just getting bits and pieces of information tossed at her instead of it just being given all the information up front. Gabriel loves Blue but it's impossible to understand why. Seeing as he's never really met her and only followed her via her broadcasts.
Even with the problems I had with the book it was still action packed and fun to read. Blue is likable and she honestly cares about the good people and kids she comes into contact with. She's also a fighter, an actual fighter, she's great with a knife. Plus, she's smart, and understands how people work, thanks to her Uncle Seamus (a runner) who raised her.
Overall I'm digging this world and hope there is more because I had fun reading Tsunami Blue.
July 12, 2012
Right off the back, I loved the voice—slightly insane, but fully aware. I’m not surprised Dorchester scooped Ms. Williams up. It was also youthful, repetitious at times (you know how young folks are), but done in a way which added flavor to Blue. I totally loved having the inside track to Blue’s mind. Her humor rocked!
Blue was cocky beyond reason. I kept expecting her overconfidence to get her into trouble; it did. On the other hand, Blue was also very resourceful, almost to the point that even impossible situations were a breeze for her to escape. At times I wondered how anyone could be so lucky or capable. Blue reminded me of RPG (role playing games) with my ex-husband. During one particular episode, he was the GM and wanted my character to give up her life which was ripped from her. I didn’t want to, and refused to follow the path he’d laid out for me. Eventually, he just killed off my character and that was the end of that. Game Over. The way Blue handled the situation, I thought it should have been Game Over so many times for her. But then, that would have been the end of the book.
So I skimmed through my notes on Tsunami Blue, and one question kept reappearing: Who was Gabriel Black? He was sexy and romantic in his own special way. And though Gabe was a huge mystery, I still trusted him. His sincerity and loyalty to Blue oozed off the pages, even if she didn’t recognize it. Other times, he seemed like a lovesick stalker who’s come up with the perfect dream life for his unwilling victim. Only thing, Blue seemed to be on board with playing opposite the lovesick stalker, at least through her actions. Gabe was also realistic. He reminds me of Bill Compton from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris—tough when he needed to be, willing to fold his cards when in a no-win situation.
The story kept me going, the buildup was great! As much as I loved it, I have to admit the ending fell short. The villains offered little challenge—all bark and no bite. Still, the question “Who Was Gabriel Black?” continued to intrigue me. At one point Ms. Williams had me banging my fists. TELL ME! What is the secret? Spit it out dammit. When it was revealed, I couldn’t wait to learn more. In the end, even that was anticlimactic.
Though the ending was less than I had hoped, the book kept me glued throughout. My summary? Tsunami Blue was an epic love story of hope.
Blue was cocky beyond reason. I kept expecting her overconfidence to get her into trouble; it did. On the other hand, Blue was also very resourceful, almost to the point that even impossible situations were a breeze for her to escape. At times I wondered how anyone could be so lucky or capable. Blue reminded me of RPG (role playing games) with my ex-husband. During one particular episode, he was the GM and wanted my character to give up her life which was ripped from her. I didn’t want to, and refused to follow the path he’d laid out for me. Eventually, he just killed off my character and that was the end of that. Game Over. The way Blue handled the situation, I thought it should have been Game Over so many times for her. But then, that would have been the end of the book.
So I skimmed through my notes on Tsunami Blue, and one question kept reappearing: Who was Gabriel Black? He was sexy and romantic in his own special way. And though Gabe was a huge mystery, I still trusted him. His sincerity and loyalty to Blue oozed off the pages, even if she didn’t recognize it. Other times, he seemed like a lovesick stalker who’s come up with the perfect dream life for his unwilling victim. Only thing, Blue seemed to be on board with playing opposite the lovesick stalker, at least through her actions. Gabe was also realistic. He reminds me of Bill Compton from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris—tough when he needed to be, willing to fold his cards when in a no-win situation.
The story kept me going, the buildup was great! As much as I loved it, I have to admit the ending fell short. The villains offered little challenge—all bark and no bite. Still, the question “Who Was Gabriel Black?” continued to intrigue me. At one point Ms. Williams had me banging my fists. TELL ME! What is the secret? Spit it out dammit. When it was revealed, I couldn’t wait to learn more. In the end, even that was anticlimactic.
Though the ending was less than I had hoped, the book kept me glued throughout. My summary? Tsunami Blue was an epic love story of hope.
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