The Triangle+The Deep (The Rise Trilogy)
Robert P. Ottone
Undertaker Books, 2024
ISBN-13: 979-8990617728
Ebook, 525 ppg.
I’m a big fan of Robert P. Ottone, and I try to read ALL of his books. So when I heard that he had won a Stoker award for his YA novel, The Triangle, I was intrigued. This was one book of his which I hadn’t yet read, so imagine my delight that, after the book was republished as a combo with another of Robert’s books, it was offered to me for review.
Azlynn is a 15-year-old teenager who lives with her dad in his shop, where they survive among other floating vessels. Set several years into the future, the ice of the Earth melted so much that sea levels rose so high that it covered up all the land. Now everybody lives and works on the water.
I really got into this story, mainly because I soon realized the Triangle spoken of in this story could only be one thing; The Bermuda Triangle. As a teen, I was fascinated by the Bermuda Triangle. I read everything I could get my hands on about it. How was it possible people ACTUALLY disappeared in this invisible THING in the ocean and were never heard from again? Of course, a lot of people had ideas about it.
And I love this particular new twist on an old idea. Azzy’s dad agrees to go into the Triangle to find something and, of course, Azzy stows away on the ship with her best friend Ellis. Azzy is determined to go along just so she can ensure her father will be safe, as well as to stay with him because there was no way she was going to stick around in the store and worry about him.
And as I read more about this story about a very mysterious thing that STILL exists in the ocean, the more mysterious this story got. Strange creatures, strange voices and strange happenings all take place in the Triangle. It made the story curiouser and curiouser. That was part of the reason why I kept reading. I wanted to know what these creatures were and how they were able to penetrate Azlynn’s mind.
The other thing that kept me reading this story was Azzy’s dad saying he was hoping to find “her” in the Triangle. Azzy has no idea who this “her” is but she does eventually find out. And what a surprise it is!
So, I know this story is YA and would probably appeal to teen readers, but it also appealed to this adult reader. I mean, it’s the Bermuda Triangle! Come on! Yes, this story is fictional, but it does weave a mysterious and very interesting theory about the Bermuda Triangle. It’s an action-packed story with amazing characters that was hard for me to put down!
Plus, it shines light on what life would be like if the oceans did indeed flood over all the land on the Earth and we all had to live on water. I couldn’t help but think about Water World as I read this story. Oh, and also Hellraiser, thanks to the character, Shotaro, saying, “We have such sights to show you.”
Indeed. The sights are shocking, but so are the creatures known as “The Deep.”
This is my favorite quote from The Triangle, on page 258:
"If you get outta this world without scars, then you never lived in the first place."
Now to the sequel of The Triangle that is included in this volume: The Deep.
The Deep takes place one year after The Triangle ends. Azzy is different. Ellis is different. And Coral Cove is different too. VERY different. What’s not different is that Azzy and Ellis are still friends, but there is a wedge between them because of how things ended between them in the last book. Azzy has moved on from all of it but Ellis has not. Ellis strikes me as the emotional type, even though the stuff he went through during that year hardens him and he puts on this tough exterior around everyone.
Pain really does change people.
And speaking of pain, Azzy is still dealing with her grief from those she lost in the first book. She deals with it in her own way, which is a little unusual and may not actually be what she thinks it is, but at least it helps her to get through another day. I am glad that those who died in the first book are not forgotten about, especially the first person that was lost.
This sequel reveals to the reader a VERY unusual and unpredictable partnership between Azzy and characters from the first book. I like that this happened, though, because it gives Azzy a chance to see “a common enemy” up close and realize that a lot of things that people believed about them are just rumors. Also, another unusual alliance takes place in this story, and I admired how Azzy remains tough and firm in dealing with them. She struggles to figure out a solution that is the best for everyone, even though the odds are piled up against her. Though she is young, Azzy deals with some heavy issues in this story and she is forced to grow up really fast as she must carry the burden of such a big responsibility. Yes, it is hard for her, but she handles it. Azzy is smart, tough and determined. She is so strong and she is definitely a good role model for some of the younger characters in the story.
In the first book, it was The Deep who were scary characters. While they are still scary in the sequel, it is the sea spiders that are absolutely terrifying.
The thing that happens towards the end of this story had me reading with wide eyes! I was like, “WHOA!” I DID NOT see that coming! I was just stunned. It is such a huge thing.
AND THE ENDING!! AAH! NO! IT CAN’T END LIKE THAT! Geez, Louise! What a cliffhanger! Give me more of the story! I want more! (sobbing incoherently)
Okay, I got myself back together again. I had SO MANY FEELS for this book! The character Azlynn is amazing and so is the character Moira. And, yes, I even liked Eux!
And readers are treated to a sample of the third book at the end. Yay!
What an amazing sequel The Deep turned out to be! I LOVE both of the books! I cannot wait to read the third book in this trilogy. I am waiting to read it with baited breath!
Five stars
Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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