Book Review: Undertow by K.R. Conway

Undertow (Undertow #1)

by
K.R. Conway
Genre: Young-adult, Paranormal, Romance
Eila Walker knows luck is not a friend, so she is downright shocked to inherit a million-dollar Cape Cod home. And yeah, her new town isn't perfect: the cheerleaders are heinous clones, the local undertow can kill ya, and her Great Grams was supposedly fried by lightning in the harbor square. Still, Eila is hopeful her luckless days are in the past . . . until history decides to repeat itself.

When Raef O’Reilly becomes her friendly, yet weirdly protective shadow, Eila thinks life is pretty darn perfect – until she is hauled beneath the waves by an unnatural undertow. Revealing coal-black eyes and iron-like strength as he rescues her, Raef can no longer hide what he is . . . or what she can do. Eila, last of her kind, can supposedly channel the power of human souls, while Raef is more adept at stealing them. Even worse, the legend about her ancestor isn't such a myth, since Eila’s grandmother was one kick-butt warrior until her lightning-like power backfired. A power that is written all over Eila's DNA.

Determined to stay one step ahead of a dangerous clan that is hunting her, Raef, along with three unlikely allies, will do all they can to protect her. But as hidden pieces of their brutal histories unravel, Eila begins to understand just what went down in the harbor square. She soon realizes that following in her grandmother’s fearless footsteps may be the only way to save those she loves . . . including Raef.



Undertow contains majority of the things I hated in Paranormal Novel... Predictable plot, instalove, hot-transfer guy, common evil cheerleader squad, a couple of slut-shaming and a Mary Sue character, I shouldn't be able to like this book by default....

But damn, I had a blast!



I like that the story doesn't just center around the very special, rare MC Eila and her issues and drama. The side characters exists not just to make the MC good in the readers eyes, they had their own story and own spotlight, which led the way to the best couple in this book for me- Ana and Kian, (Ana reminds me so much of JO-from the Soul Eaters Series) and my favorite character MJ!

"My eyes grew wide, “Are you kidding me? Is that what grabbed me? Some sort of, what? Zombie?” I sat there, unable to move, cemented by a newfound fear of the world around me.

“Thanks a lot MJ,” hissed Ana coldly. “Way to give the girl a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry alright, but I mean, what did she think grabbed her?” pleaded MJ, desperate for a bit of forgiveness. “The Little Mermaid?"

You have no idea how much I laughed out loud in this book. That's why I think the blurb is kind of misleading, this isn't in any way scary! If anything, I think this is more a light, fast-paced urban-paranormal read. Nothing really creepy or scary not even the soul-sucking demons, Mortis. There was also an attempt for mystery and thrill which is a fail for me since I was, mostly, able to predict what would happen after the first 1/2 of the book it did surprise me on some parts, but not in an awesome blew-me-away.... way? But it was alright, since I've never been a fan of big-secret plot device.

All of the factors I usually hate in my paranormal read that Undertow had was overshadowed by the hilarious MC, awesome side characters, intriguing creatures and swoon-worthy romance(Thank the Gods there aren't any love triangle here, despite the instalove), that kept me laughing and engaged the whole time. And as long as the book kept my attention from the very first page without trying too hard.. I'm good!

I can't confidently recommend this book to my friends who has low tolerance on common cliche in a paranormal genre, because I bet you'll end up hating it and hunt me, lol. But seriously though, Undertow is more than worth a try! I'm definitely looking forward for the sequel!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you**

Book Links:

(Amazon | Goodreads)

I have been a journalist for 15 years and serve on the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center and is a member of the SCBWI. I also drive a 16-ton school bus because I am ENTIRELY NUTS.

In addition to working jobs that should come with a warning label , I hold a BA in Psychos (Forensic Psych), torment the tourists about Jaws, and occasionally jump from the Town Neck bridge in an attempt to reclaim my youth.

I live on Cape Cod with two smallish humans who apparently are my kids, my fishing-obsessed husband, two canines (adept at both flatulence and snoring), and a cage-defiant lovebird that sleeps in a miniature tent. Nope - that's not a type-o. The bird is quite the indoor camper.

Author Links:
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Book Review: Undertow by K.R. Conway