The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

Skrutskie deftly balances introspection and action, making for a page-turning, thoughtful read. Even as Santa Elena convenes the Salt, the treaty organization of the NeoPacific’s pirates, to address this threat, the relationship begun previously between Cas and fellow trainee Swift continues to evolve, physical attraction and affection ever in conflict with the ruthless competition for supremacy that defines a pirate trainee’s life. When the Minnow tangles with one that’s now grown and on the loose, Cas realizes the NeoPacific’s fast-dwindling fisheries are being consumed by these Hellbeasts, and global environmental catastrophe looms again. It’s the only way, she figures, she can pursue the double-dealing Reckoner agent who has been selling unlicensed pups to pirates. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title.The sequel to The Abyss Surrounds Us (2016) finds this world’s post-apocalyptic future threatened by rogue genetically engineered sea monsters.Ĭas Leung, once an aspiring trainer of the savage, gargantuan Reckoners that protect the world’s maritime traffic from pirates, now bears the tattoo of pirate captain Santa Elena’s Minnow.

' The Abyss Surrounds Us is highly original and addictive.'― SLJTeen 'This futuristic novel is a true pleasure to read.'― VOYA ' The Abyss Surrounds Us is richly drawn, a science-fiction universe with its own set of laws and customs.'― ForeWord Reviews 'Skrutskie creates an intriguing fantasy world full of floating cities, ruthless monsters, betrayals, and unlikely friendships.'― Publishers Weekly

'This is a solid, well-crafted, new adventure story with an interesting, unusual hook.'― Booklist 'Skrutskie adeptly creates a fantastical world of ruthless pirates lovable, deadly creatures and dynamic characters.'― School Library Journal ' fresh and fascinating look at a lawless future.' ― Kirkus Reviews (starred review) If Cas fails, her blood will be the next to paint the sea. She orders Cas to raise the pup and teach him to fight for the pirates. Santa Elena wants to take back the seas with a monster of her own, and she needs a proper trainer to do it. Waiting for her on the pirate ship is an unhatched Reckoner pup. But when the pirate queen Santa Elena swoops in on Cas’s first solo mission and snatches her from the bloodstained decks, Cas’s dream of being a full-time trainer seems dead in the water.

She’s been a Reckoner trainer-in-training ever since she could walk, raising the giant, genetically engineered beasts to defend ships as they cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. For Cassandra Leung, bossing around sea monsters is just the family business.

The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie