The Aquamarine Surfboard Review #LoneStarLit

 

THE AQUAMARINE SURFBOARD

by

KELLYE ABERNATHY

Middle Grade / Magical Realism / Fantasy

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Page Count: 290 pages

Publication Date: November 22, 2021

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Thanks to the author Kellye Abernathy and Lone Star Book Book Tours for providing this opportunity to review The Aquamarine Surfboard. I received the novel free in exchange for my honest review.

First let’s just start with the fact that this is my first 5 star review in a while. Loved it. The longing and love for the sea the author feels, it’s in me too. We could be besties. And that’s why I loved this book so much and I’m saving the paperback for my son’s library when he’s at the right reading level. I picked it because of the magical realism (I mean, might as well call it YA fantasy, which is my genre of course) and it being a relatively short book meant I can actually make time to read it. I didn’t realize I would devour it in a holiday weekend. I’m loving being able to find time to read again.

For a middle grade level, it didn’t seem too youthful at all. Some of our important supporting characters were in high school, and seemed much more mature. But that part of magical realism comes about later. Our main character Condi was so likeable. She’s responsible, helpful, and caring, while also speaking up and standing up for herself and others.

The story pulled me in immediately. I could almost feel the sea, could almost taste the salty air. For a land-locked Texan, this author’s soul knows the ocean. And living on an island currently, it just vibed with me. I also loved the mindfulness and positive messages throughout. I loved how Condi could hear her deceased parents’ voices in her head helping her make choices and move forward. Condi’s character manifests the events that unfold in her life by visualizing what she dreams of.

In her mind’s eye, the wood under her feet melts into a polished surfboard. Tall and brave and strong, she rides shining curves of water, bending into each turn, gliding on the gentle waves pushing into shore.
Never give up on her dreams.
Anything is possible, you know…
Breathe in, breathe out.

Condi meets a boy, Trustin, and follows him to an amazing adventure. An adventure she can’t remember for much of the rest of the story. The underwater world, her meeting all the creatures who serve a purpose beneath, meeting Riddlemaster of the Sea – Koan, who apparently has a lot of control over the ocean and how it affects the land people.  And the job Koan gives Condi to do on the dry land. The magical way a little white shell lets her breathe under water. I loved the magical surfboards that show a story. And how everything is connected.

“Age never matters,” Koan answers. “These things are about bravery and heart.”

All of these amazing little pieces of her adventure, but she’s made to forget it and return to her life, until it is time. And things keep coming up to remind her, and I felt frustrated right along with her for not being able to recall why something seemed significant. But at every turn the story gets deeper, more meaningful, and teachers more lessons.

I loved getting to know the Beachlings, the “homeless” old ladies that live in the ocean caves. I was also angered by the snobby rich folks who only cared about their beach front property and making money. It took a huge storm event to bring everyone together, but by then it was wonderful to see the cooperation and outpouring of love for one another.

And as the aftermath and town came together, well that’s when all the secrets finally spilled out. And wow, I love this type of ghost story. Some of the characters we grew to love were holding secrets, and the connections between them unfolded beautifully. I loved how Condi helped Trustin solve his riddle that was keeping him hostage by connecting the dots in history.

The ending was beautiful as it was bittersweet. Condi reaches for her purpose and her dreams, but the special friends with whom she has formed a connection must return to their place. The story was beautifully written and narrated for the reader to be pulled in and feel like we are walking beside Condi and feeling her grief for her loss and the loss of others. I loved that Condi was strong and used that grief and care for the world to fuel her forward.

I also loved the messages the book has, such as always be kind to others and follow your dreams. This one is my favorite: look for the good in bad situations. The biggest lesson this book taught us is even when something tragic happens or someone does something terribly evil, look for the good deeds after that help put things back in balance.

A beautiful read for lovers of YA and fantasy as well as lovers of the sea. I’m looking forward to reading it again with my son in a handful of years or less, when he’s ready for a full-length novel.

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