The distant and unloved colony world of Russalka has no land, only the raging sea. No clear skies, only the endless storm clouds. Beneath the waves, the people live in pressurised environments and take what they need from the boundless ocean. It is a hard life, but it is theirs and they fought a war against Earth to protect it. But wars leave wounds that never quite heal, and secrets that never quite lie silent. Katya Kuriakova doesn't care much about ancient history like that, though. She is making her first submarine voyage as crew; the first nice, simple journey of what she expects to be a nice, simple career. There is nothing nice and simple about the deep black waters of Russalka, however; soon she will encounter pirates and war criminals, see death and tragedy at first hand, and realise that her world's future lies on the narrowest of knife edges. For in the crushing depths lies a sleeping monster, an abomination of unknown origin, and when it wakes, it will seek out and kill every single person on the planet.
**
From Booklist
Like one of his acknowledged influences, Robert A. Heinlein, Howard does a wonderful job of enmeshing this teen-on-a-distant-planet into decidedly grown-up situations without patronizing her or simplifying the genre-related complexities. That’s achieved partly because Katya Kuriakova, a fledgling sub navigator on a water world, shares the stage with an ensemble cast of utterly believable and compelling characters. Most notable among these is Havilland Kayne, the mysterious pirate leader who is alternately Katya’s prisoner, savior, enemy, and friend. The other key ingredients are the intriguing plot—a vast, mysterious, and apparently self-aware weapon threatens to destroy friend and foe alike—and Howard’s deft storytelling. To access that storytelling one must first endure the prologue’s exposition dump, but that’s a structural strategy that pays off since the subsequent action doesn’t let up. Overall, this is a thrilling start to a series that hopefully won’t end anytime soon. Grades 9-12. --Peter Gutierrez
Review
“It’s a highly effective, thought-provoking novel, and it left me looking forward to the next volume.” –Philip Reeve , author of the Predator Cities series.
“A really well imagined world, detailed and utterly believable, great mix of technical detail and breathless action.” -Charlie Higson , author of the Young Bond series and the Enemy series.
"So for the alien location the setting seems comfortingly familiar and if you’ve ever enjoyed a submarine based film, give Katya’s World a go. With the scene quickly set, it’s really about the story. There’s feds and pirates and crew just trying to do their job; a world getting by after a war with Earth which may not be as over as everyone thinks. Plus there’s plenty of secrets and double-crossing like any good adventure." - Ellie , Curiosity Killed The Bookworm
"...for me this is what superior YA fiction is all about." - Tomorrow's Nostalgia
Description:
The distant and unloved colony world of Russalka has no land, only the raging sea. No clear skies, only the endless storm clouds. Beneath the waves, the people live in pressurised environments and take what they need from the boundless ocean. It is a hard life, but it is theirs and they fought a war against Earth to protect it. But wars leave wounds that never quite heal, and secrets that never quite lie silent. Katya Kuriakova doesn't care much about ancient history like that, though. She is making her first submarine voyage as crew; the first nice, simple journey of what she expects to be a nice, simple career. There is nothing nice and simple about the deep black waters of Russalka, however; soon she will encounter pirates and war criminals, see death and tragedy at first hand, and realise that her world's future lies on the narrowest of knife edges. For in the crushing depths lies a sleeping monster, an abomination of unknown origin, and when it wakes, it will seek out and kill every single person on the planet.
**
From Booklist
Like one of his acknowledged influences, Robert A. Heinlein, Howard does a wonderful job of enmeshing this teen-on-a-distant-planet into decidedly grown-up situations without patronizing her or simplifying the genre-related complexities. That’s achieved partly because Katya Kuriakova, a fledgling sub navigator on a water world, shares the stage with an ensemble cast of utterly believable and compelling characters. Most notable among these is Havilland Kayne, the mysterious pirate leader who is alternately Katya’s prisoner, savior, enemy, and friend. The other key ingredients are the intriguing plot—a vast, mysterious, and apparently self-aware weapon threatens to destroy friend and foe alike—and Howard’s deft storytelling. To access that storytelling one must first endure the prologue’s exposition dump, but that’s a structural strategy that pays off since the subsequent action doesn’t let up. Overall, this is a thrilling start to a series that hopefully won’t end anytime soon. Grades 9-12. --Peter Gutierrez
Review
“It’s a highly effective, thought-provoking novel, and it left me looking forward to the next volume.” – Philip Reeve , author of the Predator Cities series.
“A really well imagined world, detailed and utterly believable, great mix of technical detail and breathless action.”
- Charlie Higson , author of the Young Bond series and the Enemy series.
"So for the alien location the setting seems comfortingly familiar and if you’ve ever enjoyed a submarine based film, give Katya’s World a go. With the scene quickly set, it’s really about the story. There’s feds and pirates and crew just trying to do their job; a world getting by after a war with Earth which may not be as over as everyone thinks. Plus there’s plenty of secrets and double-crossing like any good adventure."
- Ellie , Curiosity Killed The Bookworm
"...for me this is what superior YA fiction is all about."
- Tomorrow's Nostalgia