Eighteen-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.
Ryan 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? It'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. Paula Weston, author of the much-admired Rephaim series, returns with a standalone work- a near futuristic thriller that is 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.
Industry Reviews
`Superbly written, action-packed fiction with interesting, brilliantly flawed characters.' * Fictional Thoughts *
`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.' * ALPHA reader *
`A fast-paced, sensational ride, which screams "read me".' * Scott Moore, South Australian Weekend Review *
`The Undercurrent has 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...The Undercurrent is a worthy companion to beloved Australian speculative novels such as The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn and John Marsden's Tomorrow series.' * Books + Publishing *
`The Undercurrent 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.' * Booktopia *
`The Undercurrent is gripping and action-packed...Paula Weston has created an ambitious thriller that presents us with an alarming look at Australia's near future and where our technological advances could be taking us.' * Readings *
`Weston has written a high-voltage story full of explosive action and a zing of romance. The Undercurrent is a fast-paced, thrilling, futuristic action-packed YA novel that will have you zapped to your seat.' * Nadia L King *
`The Undercurrent 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.' * Obsession with Books *
`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.' * Kids Book Review *
`The Undercurrent presents a compelling portrait of a young woman finding agency and purpose that will appeal to both an adolescent audience and older readers.' * Otago Daily Times *
`When it comes to speculative fiction, Paula Weston can deliver, and deliver, moreover, on recognisably Australian soil...The Undercurrent 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.' * Magpies *
`A readable and believable dystopian tale of nuclear energy, genetically modified crops, and corporate greed, further enlivened by a budding romance.' * Age *
`I loved Paula Weston's The Undercurrent. It was delightfully Australian and superbly paced, with heartwarming characters and an interesting insight into the possible dark future of Australian politics.' * Erica Hore, 16 *
`Paula Weston has done it again. The Aussie who blessed us with the Rephaim 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!' * SA Weekend *
`Paula Weston has done it again. The Aussie who blessed us with the Rephaim 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.' * Daily Telegraph *
`A cleverly constructed tale of mysterious and uncontrollable powers, government cover-ups, love and duty from the author of the classic Rephaim series.'
-- Adelaide Advertiser * Favourite Books of the Year *
`This LoveOzYA Sci-Fi is sure to please with its sweet romantic subplot and poignant back drop of a not-so-distant future Australia.' * The Adventures of Sacakat *
