Rip Tide

Gr 6–10—Undersea dweller, Ty, and topsider gal-pal, Gemma, return in Kat Falls's sequel (2011) to Dark Life (2010, both Scholastic). In this episode, Ty and Gemma discover a surf township that has been scuttled deep in the ocean with its inhabitants dead inside. As Ty begins to investigate, he learns that his parents have been kidnapped and may face the same fate. As the pair probes the underbelly of their corrupt society, they make contact with Gemma's brother and his misfit gang of near-criminals. Ty is coerced into a deadly wrestling match that forces him to use his dark gift (sonar), and they witness surfs battling giant crocodiles for small bits of extra food to support their township. Keith Nobbs's narration is well-paced, and he does a marvelous job of distinguishing each character. Although the plot is more interesting than exciting, fans of Rick Riordan will enjoy this middle-grade series.—Tricia Melgaard, formerly Broken Arrow Public Schools,Tulsa, OK