Audio Review: Above World by Jenn Reese

Author: Jenn Reese
Narrator: Kate Rudd

Title: Above World

Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio

Publication: 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia
Length: 7hrs:52mins
Format: Unabridged Audio CD

Source: Library

Rating: 4 out 5

Thirteen-year-old Aluna has lived her entire life under the ocean with the Coral Kampii in the City of Shifting Tides. But after centuries spent hidden from the Above World, her colony’s survival is in doubt. The Kampii’s breathing necklaces are failing, but the elders are unwilling to venture above water to seek answers. Only headstrong Aluna and her friend Hoku are stubborn and bold enough to face the terrors of land to search for way to save their people. But can Aluna’s warrior spirit and Hoku’s tech-savvy keep them safe? Set in a world where overcrowding has led humans to adapt—growing tails to live under the ocean or wings to live on mountains—here is a ride through a future where greed and cruelty have gone unchecked, but the loyalty of friends remains true.

Thoughts: This is an interesting read. The human race has had to evolve to survive and gets split up into these separate communities. Some people have wings and can fly, horse hooves, or they have tales like mermaids. Aluna is a spunky young lady and is of age to receive her tale but she knows something is not right and that her people are in danger. Infuriated by the council, she takes it upon herself to go on land to find a way to save her people. I liked Aluna, she is a strong character and it reminds me of the little mermaid but with a twist. Hoku, her young friend, is adorable. The audio production is well done. I think the narrator does a good job distinguishing between characters and balancing out the flow of the story.  Overall, this is a fresh take on mermaids that I think middle graders will like.

Cover:Beautiful!