Book Review: "A Dark and Rising Tide" by Debra Castaneda

 

When a massive storm surge hits the central coast of California, the ferocious surf destroys buildings, floods streets, and washes up something sinister from the depths of the Monterey Bay.

Peter, a retired state lifeguard, knows the water better than anyone. Carla, owner of a beach-side restaurant, is still mourning the loss of her son in a boating accident. While both love their quaint small town with spectacular views, their personal lives are as complicated as the changing weather forecasts.

After a mysterious creature in the water kills two men, Peter and Carla are plunged into a living nightmare as a massive tidal surge traps them and their friends in a battered, unstable building.

While the storm rages through the night, they discover something horrifying swims between them and escape, just waiting to attack anyone within reach.

They need to make life or death decisions to survive.

But first, they need to make it to morning. -from Booksirens.com

This eARC was provided by Booksirens.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the third book in Castaneda's Dark Earth Rising series (which can be read as stand-alone novels) and is stated to be inspired by true events. That is enough for me to not want to go swimming in coastal waters, that's for sure. As one can determine from the book cover, this is a tale that includes some sort of tentacled sea life. As a large hurricane-type storm beats the coastline of this small village, a handful of people need to survive the storm surge, as well as the sea-life it brings to visit.

I have enjoyed each of these three novels from this author, as each takes place in a different locale, inspired by an urban tale in that area. This one happened to deal with squid-like creatures that seemed to be overtaking humans, and showing signs of intelligence. Throw in a simple romance that grows through the story, and you have a nice read. The book read easily, and seemed realistic enough to happen as written (excluding the who creatures thing). Look forward to reading more from this author!