Black Tide by K.C. Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beth is a bit of a hot mess and she’s the first one to admit it. She drinks a tad too much and has been known to flee in the face of responsibility; at least before.
Lately though, Beth has been turning things around. She’s been pet-sitting and feels like she is getting good at it. She’s even getting referred to new clients by happy patrons.
That’s how Beth ends up at a beach house on an empty stretch of the Oregon coast on the day the world ends.
She is staying with the best good dog, Jake, and all has been going well. She’s been spying a little bit on the man next door, but that’s to be expected, isn’t it?
He’s handsome, in a mysterious, scruffy sort of way. He seems lonely. Beth is all kinds of curious about this mystery man.
So, when she sees him drinking expensive champagne on his deck one evening, she heads over to introduce herself.
His name is Mike and he is a film producer. The two hit it off and spend the evening enjoying each other’s company in every way you can imagine.
That night, at Mike’s place, Beth doesn’t sleep well. Her drunken dreams are full of horrifying images that are still rattling around in her brain upon waking.
She finds Mike and Jake together on the beach. Apparently, Mike had gone to the dog’s rescue. Beth can’t believe she left Jake alone in the house next door overnight.
That’s what the booze can do; great decision-making, Beth.
Mike tells Beth all about the insane meteor shower he witnessed from the beach. There’s still evidence of the destruction it wrought. Plus, there’s the thing that he found.
The power is out, so they have no way of listening to any news. How wide spread was the event and what exactly was it?
They decide to drive up the beach and investigate where they believe one of the meteors actually struck. Maybe there will be someone around who knows more of what’s happening.
Black Tide is the most intense book I have read in a long time. Edge of your seat doesn’t even begin to describe it.
From that very first night, as the meteors start to fall, the tension begins. Driving down the beach the following day, they become stranded and the circumstances continue getting worse for the trio; yes, I am counting Jake.
The entire thing was a nail biter. I was yelling at the book, advising them what they should do: protect Jake at all costs!!
I love Sci-Fi Horror and I found this one to be incredibly fun. The concepts were unique, the character development was great and the build-up of intensity was fantastic.
It had such a claustrophobic feel. Oh My goodness, I am squirming even thinking about it!
I grew to really care for these characters. In particular, Beth and Jake. I felt like I was able to relate to Beth so much. It made the stakes feel a lot higher for me. I just wanted them to be safe.
I would definitely recommend this to any Horror Reader, but particularly to those who enjoy a lovely blend of Sci-Fi and Horror elements.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Nightfire, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Black Tide releases on May 10, 2022.
Be sure to add it to your Spring TBR!!
