Author: Helen Goltz
Publisher: Atlas Productions
Pages: 185
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Ophelia’s first love might be her last.
In
her wildest dreams, Ophelia Montague never imagined she would leave the
city, her friends, her school and move to a seaside village. But when
her parents die in an accident, that’s just where she finds
herself—ensconced in a rambling house on the beach, with her uncle,
Sebastian, his boarder—nineteen-year-old Adam Ferrier, and two Great
Dane dogs named after shipwrecks. By the ocean’s edge she meets Jack
Denham who seems to command the sea and the moon—and if he has his
way—Ophelia, too.
You can purchase your copy of Ophelia Adrift at Amazon.
My Impressions:
Sebastian's roommate is, Adam, who is also a bit of a mystery. He comes from a line of drifters who move around because of a curse that has been placed on his family as a survivors from a decade old ship wreck on the La Bella in Wannamboo. As the curse goes any living relative who is out after midnight will drown in the ocean. Leaving Adam skittish to be out, not wanting to temp fate when there have been so many mysterious deaths. Adam, is the self proclaimed "brother" of Ophelia, although the book leaves the hint that more is to happen between these too that might not be so brotherly.
Ophelia Adrift is written from several POV's, which makes the book very interesting. I loved the writing style and the easy, natural flow of the book. I enjoyed that the history in this book. The shipwreck is told as it took place, along with the deaths of the crew and the rescue operations. Plus the author names her characters after actual people from the original La Bella shipwreck. Ophelia herself is a likable character. She seems to draw people to her and builds her friends up and helps them see their own natural talents and beauty. I have read other reviewers saying they disliked the book on the premise of how quickly Ophelia and Jack fall in love, but anyone with teenager would actually say how realistic this can be. Since this is a YA book, I could see how Ophelia and Jack fall instantly in love. Having 4 teenagers I see this on a weekly basis. The mad, deep, insane love that flakes out as quickly as it starts is part of being a teen, so this was not a killing point for me at all. The book was a fun, quick read with a nice mystery and a good twist at the end. I really enjoyed it.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Book Excerpt:
My room was beautiful, dreamy even—but I felt bad for liking
it, as though I was being traitorous to Mum and Dad. I moved to the window and looked
out over the ocean. An incredible
feeling of loneliness swept over me and I grabbed my chest; I don’t know why, I
knew that wouldn’t help. As if reading my emotions, Agnes moved closer to me
and I stroked her head.
The sun would soon set across the ocean; the shadows were
already long across the rocks. Then I saw movement at the base of the rock ...
a person, a man with fair hair? I turned back but there was no one there.
About the Author
HELEN GOLTZ is an Australian author of eight titles. Helen
studied English literature and communications at university and has worked in
print, television and radio. She is published by Atlas Productions and Clan
Destine Press and is the founder of Atlas Productions—a boutique imprint
promoting all genres and the love of words, and The Reviewers—an Australian
book review website featuring a by-invitation panel of reviewers.
Her
latest book is the YA fantasy, Ophelia
Adrift.
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