This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it.

Creative and left me wanting more.

What was in the water?
Why did this happen?
Who's talking?

I enjoyed this one and would definitely read more by this author.

The Rise was a quick read. I enjoyed the story, but really wanted more from it. There wasn’t a lot of detail about the actual happenings between the survivors though they were stuck together for quite a while. It started out with alot of potential, but drifted off onto not much.

The Rise: Dystopia
Dystopian, Scif-Fi & Fantasy
David Towner
⭐️⭐️.5

I love a good dystopian book so the synopsis of this one really grabbed my attention.

The pacing is a little on the slow side but at the same time, parts of the plot seemed rushed - the whole book takes place over 2 - 3 months and at one point 6 weeks are skipped. I wish there was more world building and less detail when it comes to describing appearances and the actions done by the characters.

I did really like how the author managed to portray human nature, how people react to disasters and how, sometimes, things can spiral out of control due to fear.

The last 2 sentences at the end made me more curious than most of the book. There was no explanation of what happened and why, who was delivering the rations (I assumed it was the government just like the characters did), or even what the creatures in the water are.

I think with more plot and character development, this book could be a very good read but right now, I don't think I'd read any follow up books.

*Thank you to @netgalley, Splash Marketing and David Towner for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review*

3.5 stars rounded to 4
On a normal day, black water mysteriously begins to fill the earth. Three people in different parts of the world must navigate this new normal.
While the main characters struggle to survive on limited food and water, they also encounter humanity. The fight for survival is ruthless and could kill them, and the desperation has no boundaries based on location, economic status or gender.
Thankfully, a mysterious benefactor randomly provides limited rations and reminders to cooperate, share and get along. But a few people also disappear for days or weeks at a time and return changed. What's really happening? Will help arrive before it's too late?
I like the alternating viewpoints. I was rooting for each character to survive! And their courage shines through.
The book is short and a quick read. That means some of the plot is simplified and rushed. But the pacing and flow are good overall.
And the ending! Wow! That's powerful and opens multiple doors of future possibilities in my imagination. I hope there's a sequel!

I feel really conflicted reviewing this book, first it told us the story of several individuals that were living in the same world while something mysterious happened, all of a sudden the water level raised and no one could explain where or how the water was coming from, I usually don’t mind when something apocalyptical is happening and we are not given the explanation why, but in this book I don’t really understand why no one was interested in knowing what was happening… it kind of missed the point of view of a scientist or something that could give us a light about what was happening, even if it was religious, well it misses the point of view of someone religious…

You know it is easier to give us the point of view of people living in most countries when the author lives there, but when the author doesn’t that shows in his writing, the Japanese characters, missed something or maybe too much of a stereotype I guess…

Hmm and the ending also left the same lukewarm feeling that the whole book gave me, so will it continue, is this really the end? What will happen next? Its an OK story, but it feels lacking in many parts of the story… even to a person that likes to be left in the dark about some details.

Thank you NetGalley and Splash Marketing for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Fantastic and thrilling from start to finish! I hope I get approved for the ARC for all of the next parts! I loved that the action started right away instead of having a snapshot of what life was like before the Rise.

In this disturbing novella, oceans rise all over the earth, cities disappear under the mysterious black waters and people must fight to survive. There’s the problem. The story spotlights office workers in Tokyo, a young woman working as RideShare driver in Colorado and the crew and passengers of a cruise ship. As the days and weeks pass, people hoard supplies and violence breaks out as they fight ever provisions. A disembodied voice says that food will be provided and it is. The voice (God? Aliens?) Urges them to help one another. And then, as the waters finally recede, comes the command “Be better, Do better.”

The Rise: Dystopia is science fiction at its best. I only wish the book had been londer. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Splash Marketing and David Towner for this ARC.

Water levels are rising. At first, an unknown leak is the supposed source and life continues on almost as normal but, soon, it becomes impossible to ignore, buildings are submerged, and society as we know it alters.

I thought this was going to be a fast-paced dystopian tale about survival and, initially, this is what was delivered. Soon, however, the focus shifted to individual coping mechanisms during this time and how humanity alters when faced with life-or-death situations. It really is a dog-wat-dog world out there!

This was a very short series instalment, measuring in at under 100 pages, but I did desire a bit more about the water source to be revealed. The final sentence unnerved me deeply and did provide some context but in an abstract sort of way. I'm eager to learn more but wish it had been provided now and here and not in another novel at some later date.

3.5 stars

Theres a lot to like here.
The idea of the flood coming suddenly from nowhere, and nobody is prepared .
I enjoyed the different scenarios that showed how impossible situations can bring out the best and worst in people.
I think you can't help but imagine how you would act, and behave in this scenario.
Quite the little page turner.