CW: gun violence, death of mother (suspect was father), brutal death

Well now that I have regained my composure I can write a review.

I don't think the following section is too much of a spoiler but I will hide it anyway because I went in blind and that served me well. I think it is best to resist if you have any intention of reading this YA mystery horror book. The movie 'The Descent' scared the living daylights out of me. Maybe I am a bit traumatised by that movie because it gave me nightmares. I screamed so many times as the dark underground and it's cave dwelling carnivores terrified me. Welcome to the book version of that particular nightmare. No it doesn't have big jump scares, but the atmosphere and pacing had the hairs on my arms standing up. The story starts out pretty calmly as we get to know about Alva and her difficult life. What a cracker opening line too, “Here are the rules of living with a murderer." As mentioned in the blurb, dark forces begin to stir in the township where Alva and her father are outcasts.

Sorry, I think I have to stop here. I want to type so much more but I can't because the story just unfolds in such a beautifully menacing way and I think it is better to go in blind. Argh! I should say that it isn't too scary. I was just so invested in Alva that everything felt much more frightening if you know what I mean. Probably an unhelpful review, but I gotta say I enjoyed every gorgeous horrific moment of this book, even when it broke me in two.

It also says this is the third in a series. From the blurb of the other 2 books I can't make any connection to this novel. It was completely readable as a stand alone. ( )

This novel is a 2022 Lone Star selection.

Horror remains my least favorite genre. I think the students here will absolutely love it! It has been checked out many times even before being recognized as a Lone Star novel, so I was very excited to read this popular novel. I had a terrible timer getting into it. As I discovered the mystery was one of horror, I understood why.

Alva lives with a murderer and has four rules for how to survive. Her father takes care of the loch (lake), making sure the water level doesn't fall below a certain level. The town mill has been using too much water, making the loch levels dramatically lessen. Only the Neomhfhuil (keeper of the loch) knows the importance of the water level. Meanwhile, Alva plans on escaping and living a life free and clear of her father, the murderer. Her friend Ren agrees to help her. On the day she is to leave, nothing goes as planned. Girls her own age go missing and one is found dead. Then, Alva sees something. Is it really what she thinks it is?

Now that Alva knows the truth, she can't leave without helping the townspeople. She is courageous, capable, and does not suffer fools. As the water drops and life become dire, Alva knows how to make it all stop. The question is, will it cost her everything? ( )

7 years ago, Alva’s world was shattered by murder. Ever since, she has lived in fear. Now, Alva has a plan for escape. She’s ready to start a new life. But nothing about Alva’s life is quite as it seems…

Hold Back The Tide snared me with Melinda Salisbury’s clean, crisp prose and careful choice of imagery and kept me on edge with expertly controlled tension. It goes all-in on the question of whether the true monsters are men or gods, with self-interest and abuses of power just as large a threat as the hungry creatures in the night (content warning: there is a scene that does not end in sexual assault, but is likely to hit the button for anyone sensitive in this area).

A story of long held secrets and monsters as a group of misunderstood outsiders face the terrors of their neighbours and the past. Engrossing, spooky, beautifully written, tugging at the heart strings - one of my top ten reads of 2020.

Full review ( )

What do you do when you believe you live with a killer...and he's your father. Even more frightening, the victim was your mother and you were in the next room. This is life for Alva. She lives with her dour and scary father who is the watcher for a loch where the local mill is drawing so much water that the level drops daily. Add in an evil and grandiose mill owner, villagers who shun Alva, and an outcast boy who has strong feelings for her. Mix in ancient secrets, Alva's plan to escape to a new life and events leading to a gut-punch of an ending and you have one heck of a read. I was particularly impressed with the way many of the characters were depicted. ( )