The Review

I have been trying to be more professional about my reviews…but this is one where I need to be informal. This novel is so FANTASTIC that I kept forgetting it is technically rated YA. I read the whole thing in one sitting while I was waiting in lines at Universal Studio’s Hollywood. If I had the chance though, I never would have put it down.

“Those We Drown” by Amy Goldsmith is a gripping mystery novel that takes place aboard a luxurious cruise ship called The Eos. Liv is thrilled to have won an all-expenses-paid opportunity to study aboard The Eos for a semester, but soon realizes she is in over her head. Her best friend Will is barely speaking to her, and the other students, including the mysterious and beautiful Constantine, seem to be hiding something. Liv discovers that the only reason she was invited to join the trip is that another girl disappeared shortly after enrolling, and no one seems to know what happened to her. To make matters worse, after their first night, Will disappears. The ship’s crew tell Liv that he is sick, but as further disappearances occur, Liv begins to suspect that there may be a dark secret lurking beneath the ship’s watery depths.

The slow-burn mystery of the novel is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. Goldsmith’s writing is atmospheric and haunting, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the story. The setting of the ship adds to this atmosphere, as the claustrophobic environment and the constant sound of the waves create a sense of isolation and danger.

The only time I find the writing lacking is with some of the dialog between characters. Liv is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and the reader is rooting for her from the start. The other characters, however, are less likable, with most of them being stereotypical rich, privileged, and arrogant teenagers with the exception is the mysterious and glamorous Sirens, who add a unique and creative element to the story. The interactions between the groups tend to be relatively bland. I am also was genuinely confused why a group of mid 20-somethings are hanging out with a group of high-school aged kids to begin with. However, this is where I remind myself that the novel is targeted as “Young Adult”, and if I was still 14 or 15 I would probably find the dialog very believable – though still creepy when one of the Siren’s makes out with Will who is only 17 years old.

Aside from that, Goldsmith’s descriptions of the sea creatures that haunt Liv’s dreams are particularly effective, creating a sense of horror and dread that stays with the reader long after the book is finished. Several times while reading, I made note that the reoccurring chant, “the sea provides – but only if you feed it” reminded me eerily of the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie’s chant of “Part of the Ship, Part of the Crew.” This caused my lines to blur of what was real and what was actually a delusion, as I questioned if the staff (with their smiles that didn’t quite reach their eyes) were in on it. The final revelations of the novel are well-executed and satisfying, but still left the reader room to wonder.

Overall, “Those We Drown” is a well-written and engaging mystery novel that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. The slow-burn tension, relatable protagonist, and atmospheric setting make for a memorable reading experience, and the unique and creative elements of the story add an extra layer of intrigue. While there are still some scenes I wish I could have changed to be geared more to an adult audience, I understand that it’s ~only~ a YA book and needs to be marketable to various different age groups.

Overall, I give “Those We Drown ” 5 out of 5 stars!