{"product_id":"9781925410433","title":"The Undercurrent","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is gripping and action-packed…Paula Weston has created an ambitious thrilled that presents us with an alarming look at Australia’s near future and where our technological advances could be taking us.’ Readings\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEighteen-year-old Julianne De Marchi is different. As in: she has an electrical undercurrent beneath her skin that stings and surges like a live wire. She can use it—to spark a fire, maybe even end a life—but she doesn’t understand what it is. And she can barely control it, especially when she’s anxious.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRyan Walsh was on track for a stellar football career when his knee blew out. Now he’s a soldier—part of an experimental privatised military unit that has identified Jules De Marchi as a threat. Is it because of the weird undercurrent she’s tried so hard to hide? Or because of her mother Angie’s history as an activist against bio-engineering and big business? \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt’s no coincidence that Ryan and Jules are in the same place at the same time—he’s under orders to follow her, after all. But then an explosive attack on a city building by an unknown enemy throws them together in the most violent and unexpected way. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePaula Weston, author of the much-admired \u003ci\u003eRephaim\u003c\/i\u003e series, returns with a standalone work: a futuristic thriller that is only slightly futuristic—but utterly and undeniably thrilling. Great writing, heart-burning characters, probing questions about where technology is taking us—and a plot that zips and zings like an electrical current itself. This is a great young-adult writer at the peak of her powers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaula Weston\u003c\/b\u003e is a Brisbane-based author. She has more than twenty years’ experience as a professional writer—first as a print journalist and then as a government communication and media specialist. She co-owns a writing\/design consultancy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent \u003c\/i\u003ehas everything you could possibly ask for in a YA novel—illegal human experimentation, military groups for hire, companies with hidden agendas, government mismanagement of environmental threats, romance, X-Men-style abilities, a nuanced mother-daughter relationship and non-stop action and intrigue. The characters are endearing and believable, the romance meaningful without being saccharine and the plot races along with impeccable timing…\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is a worthy companion to beloved Australian speculative novels such as \u003ci\u003eThe Sky So Heavy\u003c\/i\u003e by Claire Zorn and John Marsden’s \u003ci\u003eTomorrow\u003c\/i\u003e series.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooks+Publishing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘A fast-paced, sensational ride, which screams “read me”.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eScott Moore, South Australian Weekend Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is a real rollercoaster of a read, packed full of thrills and tension and non-stop action. The characters are captivating and nuanced. The plot is fast-paced and high-powered. Most importantly, it is a tightly written and eminently satisfying standalone book.’ \u003cb\u003eBooktopia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e ‘A readable and believable dystopian tale of nuclear energy, genetically modified crops, and corporate greed, further enlivened by a budding romance.’ \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e presents a compelling portrait of a young woman finding agency and purpose that will appeal to both an adolescent audience and older readers.’ \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eOtago Daily Times\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘When it comes to speculative fiction, Paula Weston can deliver, and deliver, moreover, on recognisably Australian soil…\u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is a well-written suspense thriller, political mystery, family saga, slow-burning romance and, above all, prescient picture of our own far-too-possible future.’ \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eMagpies\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Late for dinner, late for work, late late late. Thanks so much, Paula Weston. I picked up \u003ci\u003eShimmer\u003c\/i\u003e and forgot everything else.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAdelaide Advertiser\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Superbly written, action-packed fiction with interesting, brilliantly flawed characters.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFictional Thoughts\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Some books you crave. You keep returning to the cover art and re-reading the blurb, you stalk the authors’ Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads profiles in the hopes of gleaning morsels of information…you count-down to release day. Paula Weston is something special indeed.’ \u003cb\u003eALPHA Reader\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Weston has written a high-voltage story full of explosive action and a zing of romance. \u003ci\u003eThe Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is a fast-paced, thrilling, futuristic action-packed YA novel that will have you zapped to your seat.’ \u003cb\u003eNadia L King\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e‘The Undercurrent\u003c\/i\u003e is action-packed and thrilling…There is romance, family drama and mystery that all blend well to keep the pace flowing and the plot moving.’ \u003cb\u003eObsession with Books\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Paula Weston raises the bar for an intelligent, page-turning speculative young adult thriller full of complex issues and wonderfully varied and sculpted characters worth caring about. A superbly written book with a gorgeous cover that will make you think and learn and hide away until you’ve read the last page.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKids Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e‘Paula Weston has done it again. The Aussie who blessed us with the \u003ci\u003eRephaim\u003c\/i\u003e series doesn’t miss a beat as she unveils a new cast of well-rounded, flawed and believable characters in a fast-paced tale…Another page-turner!’ \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSA Weekend\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e ‘A cleverly constructed tale of mysterious and uncontrollable powers, government cover-ups, love and duty from the author of the classic \u003ci\u003eRephaim\u003c\/i\u003e series.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAdelaide Advertiser\u003c\/i\u003e, Favourite Books of the Year\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e ‘Paula Weston has done it again. The Aussie who blessed us with the \u003ci\u003eRephaim\u003c\/i\u003e series doesn’t miss a beat as she moves away from the world of half-angels in this new thriller. Weston unveils a new cast of well-rounded, flawed and believable characters in a fast-paced tale…Weston tackles important issues without letting the pace drop in another page-turner.’ \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Text Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47141113823472,"sku":"9781925410433","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781925410433_p0.jpg?v=1763634202","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781925410433","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}