Amethyst, The Shallows

Fantasy story for teenagers and up set in a surfing beach town recovering from a wide spread sickness involving long term isolation. Much more than a simple surfing story though. There’s mystery, love, relationships between family and friends, loss, octopus and parrots and a lot more. I liked the fact that neurodiversity is also part of the story. I didn’t realise this is the second book in a series. I hadn’t read the first and still totally enjoyed this book. From the ending it seems book three is to come in the future. So if you like entertaining, easy read, good feel fantasy then there’s lots of enjoyable reading time to find in these books. Thank you to Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.7 rounded up to 4/5.

"Amethyst, The Shallows" by Kellye Abernathy is a mesmerizing tale that weaves together magical realism, oceanic mystique, and the profound journey of six lonely kids navigating the aftermath of a devastating sickness in their beach town. Set against the backdrop of the unpredictable autumn equinox, the story unfolds with an almost poetic grace, capturing the essence of the sea and its enchanting secrets.

The narrative centers around fourteen-year-old Lorelei, an aspiring oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, whose otherworldly curiosity adds a layer of intrigue to the storyline. Abernathy masterfully introduces us to a cast of characters, each grappling with their own unique struggles, from the loyal boyfriend Casey to the mysterious Kait from Ireland and the ocean-disliking newcomer Isaac.

The magic in Abernathy's writing lies in her ability to infuse the ordinary with the extraordinary. The beach and ocean magic are palpable, creating an atmosphere that resonates with fans of H2O: Just Add Water TV show, captivating readers with its spellbinding charm. The author's stunning prose vividly brings to life the coastal setting, making the reader feel the ebb and flow of the tides and the mysteries hidden within sea caves.

The novel excels in delivering impactful character moments, exploring themes of mystery, love, and loss. As the characters embark on transformative adventures guided by a wise surf master and mystical old women known as the Beachlings, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges beliefs about possibilities and the profound nature of love.

While the novel stands strong on its own, a minor drawback is the lack of awareness about its status as the second book in a series. Despite the publisher's assurance that it can be read independently, some background from the first installment would have enhanced the reader's understanding of certain elements.

Additionally, the use of multiple points of view in split chapters occasionally makes it challenging to connect with the characters. While it adds depth to the narrative, it may leave readers yearning for a more seamless immersion into each character's perspective.

In conclusion, "Amethyst, The Shallows" is a captivating exploration of magic, mystery, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the ocean's allure. Abernathy's skillful storytelling and vivid atmosphere make this a must-read for fans of magical realism and those who appreciate the transformative power of the sea.

I always believe there's magic in the sea, and this book confirms me. Like the first book, this one is also amazing. Beautiful writings, beautiful descriptions about life at Dupitous Beach, lovely characters, and their problems to solve after the Sickness. I am so glad I can meet Condi and the others again here. I don't want to talk much and encourage you who read this review to pick this series if you haven't!

Thank you, NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with this eARC.

I was interested from the cover Kellye had done a great job the writing just flowed and was an easy cosy readi it worked with the Aquamarine Surfboard

This is a wonderful book for a younger audience. I particularly loved the fantasy elements and the adventures the kids went through. After picking this book I found it is part of a series. I haven't read the other installment, but I do recommend this author and the series. The writing flows beautifully and the characters are lovely.

It threw me off for a moment since I didn’t realize this was a second book in a series. Nevertheless, the vibes were immaculate. This felt so enchanting and riveting: the way it’s magically and whimsically written, the fleshed-out and realistic characters, and the ocean themes and setting. I’m getting strong summer vibes from this and would definitely read its first book one of these days.

This second book in the Yellow Cottage series opens with this Hawaiian village still reeling in the aftermath of the Sickness, which felt very much like an analog for Covid, though it's presented as something with mysterious origins.

Returning and new characters reflect what was like for young people during a statewide lockdown, maintaining friendships through digital communications, and suffering through the closure of beaches. It's appropriate then, that the story begins on the day the beaches reopen.

This story continues from The Aquamarine Surfboard, but the focus shifts somewhat. Condi, from the first book, is still present, but this story focuses on Lorelai, and also brings in her younger brother Tad, who is neurodivergent. His presence is just part of the way author Kellye Abernathy has addressed mental health issues, including anxiety and depression in this story – weaving them into the narrative as the very normal parts of life that they are, and doing so with grace and understanding.

Of course, surfing and the sea are still prominent in the story, and we not only get to spend more time with the Beachlings, a group of elderly women who live near (or on) the beach (I want to be one of them when I'm older), and an octopus who embodies wisdom.

As with the previous installment of this series, Abernathy blends fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism into a cohesive whole, leaving you with the scent of salt air and the feeling of having spent time in the water.

While this book is best appreciated if you've read the previous one, it also stands alone quite well. Overall, it's an enchanting tale of friendship and community with other humans and the sea.

Goes well with: mahi tacos and pineapple-mango salsa.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

I read The Aquamarine Surfboard while living on an island, and the love of the ocean in the book resonated with me. Now, reading the sequel Amethyst, The Shallows while back on the mainland in the middle of cold winter was a slightly different experience. Plus, the content was darker.

Where the first book was more whimsical and really gave us a lovely glimpse into the underwater world, this sequel is grittier and heavier. The first book focused on one main character, and this companion novel zooms out to several characters and their stories. There were new characters we hadn't met before and some of our familiar friends from the first book, as well.

Amethyst, The Shallows feels more realistic because of a shared worldwide experience of "The Sickness" that the characters also went through. The world is opening back up for them, just like it is for us, and many are grieving the loss of many loved ones. That's where I say it is grittier, but it is still middle grade. You still remember that our main character lost her parents at sea in the first book, so she lives with her whimsical grandmother. In this sequel, there is more - the pain of the loss of a mother, the loss of a spouse, a mother in a coma, and other moments of grief our characters go through.


In Amethyst, two characters experience the magic of the underwater spirits. These experiences of being saved by magical ocean dwellers from near drowning cause confusion and anxiety about what they saw and experienced. This drives a wedge in some relationships while forging others. 

As we follow each character through their experience and coming-of-age journeys, the magic of the sea and the power of friendships remain the biggest champions. 

This book is great for middle-grade and beyond readers who enjoy YA fantasy and the ocean. Also, if you respect octopi for their intelligence, you will enjoy a special character in this story.

While this second book can be read as a standalone, without the details and world-building of the first book, you might miss out on some of the magical aspects. Amethyst had some hand-waived reminders of this and that, so it is best read in order.

If you haven't read the first book, read it now, and thank me later. Then you can enjoy the second, for the coming-of-age magical realism that it is.

This novel is the follow-up to The Aquamarine Surfboard, which makes me happy because we see the return of Condi, Grand Ella, the Beachlings, and other familiar characters. However, one of the main characters in this novel is Lorelei. As with the first book, this is a coming-of-age story that brings in some of the mysticism from the first book and some unique characters with various personalities. Because many of the characters are teens, I feel like the author understands the issues and quirks of the young mind, especially when they have been isolated due to The Sickness. This mimics a certain event we saw happen in our world.

Another main character is Isaac. At first, I didn't like him. He was sullen and angry at the world, but with time, he managed to redeem himself after experiencing a few life-changing events. Sometimes, it just takes a little time and experience to change a person.

Tad is another character that will capture your heart. He sees his emotions in colors and knows when he needs a calming color to feel safe. He is also a budding scientist who is passionate about the various sea creatures. He may be young, but he is mighty and learns to overcome some of his fears.

There are two animals that are integral to this story - Figament, an octopus, and Guardian, a parrot. Both animals bridge the gap between different characters and bring hope to the story.

There is love and loss, too. My heart hurt at the loss, and rejoiced for the love. 

This book is probably geared more toward YA than middle-grade age readers due to some of the topics, but it will be enjoyed by those who care to delve into this mystical story.

We give this book 5 paws up and hope for another book in this series to continue the magic of the ocean and this band of friends.

Amethyst, The Shallows is the companion novel to Kellye Abernathy's The Aquamarine Surfboard. Amethyst is a beautiful book whose main characters are tight-knit friends from a beachside town. These friends each share an interest in the backdrop to the story - the ocean. Although they share this passion, they each bring their own personality and individualism to the story - which is something I truly appreciated from Abernathy as I am a character-driven reader...through and through.
In this particular story, we see the friends as they emerge from the truly transformative experience of having been through "The Sickness" - a life event that has caused them to lose loved ones. What I enjoyed the most from Amethyst was that along with the beauty we get from the story's magical realism "background" - we get the true-to-life experience of grief and how our characters move forward with feeling grief. Since losing someone myself, I find grief in fiction to be even more fascinating than it already was. Abernathy does a wonderful job of creating this story for young (and older) readers a like that is not only entertaining, but heartfelt as well.
I recommend this read to all readers as I think we could all take something from a tale of friendship, whimsy, and love.

When Amethyst The Shallows – the second book in the Yellow Cottage series– opens, the reader is introduced to a number of characters in alternating short chapters. It does take a bit of reading to get to know them, especially the new ones, and have a good sense of what binds them all together, but it all quickly comes together and the story flows smoothly.

Most of the characters have been touched in some way by the Sickness, with many of the teens having lost a loved one to the deadly disease. A not-so-subtle nod to COVID, and perhaps reading the book will help young people in today’s world deal with the reality of how COVID devastated their lives. Lessons presented through fiction are sometimes the best kind, and certainly can be helpful for teens who are not willing to talk about their emotions with an adult.

That is certainly the situation with Tad and Isaac, who have closed up and handle their anger and grief in different ways. Tad’s mother is in a coma from the Sickness and Isaac’s mother died. To keep from worrying all the time, Tad works with Isaac’s father at the aquarium where he forms a growing attachment to the sea turtles. His determination to save the turtles when something goes wrong is an endearing facet of his characterization. The author does a great job in presenting both of the boys and their special gifts, and it was most satisfying to see their character arcs evolve as the story progressed.

Lorelei, Condi’s best friend that readers met in the first book in the series, was severely affected by the Sickness, only now months later slowly getting her strength back. She’s eager to take her surfboard to the water and second-guesses her encounter with the octopus, so she doesn’t tell anyone at first. There’s a riveting scene when she falls off the surfboard and is sinking deep in the ocean. She starts to weaken and isn’t sure if she can make it back to the surface. If not for the octopus, maybe she wouldn’t have.

The teens are endearing characters, as are the Beachlings – the elderly women who had been living in caves in the first book and moved to safer ground when a storm threatened them. While the Beachlings don’t play as big a part in this second book, they do teach important lessons about caring and kindness, as well as offering great examples of how to let go with grace and accept what life brings.

It was fun to meet the parrot, Guardian, who was aptly named. The role he plays in the story is important, bringing another delightful, magical creature to the series, and I hope he returns. Like the octopus, he takes on an almost human quality in the way he relates to the teens, showing up to offer assistance when they need it most. I’m a big fan of anthropomorphic qualities in animals or birds or underwater creatures. It’s interesting to consider how they would act if they truly did have human behaviors and emotions, and the author does a first-rate job in making the bird and the octopus believable.

Amethyst The Shallows is filled with magic and great life lessons, as well as delightful characters, and I greatly enjoyed the read. The book is a perfect summer read for teens and for adults who want a reminder of what it’s like to be in that formative time of growing up.

This book had an interesting concept. I'm not always the biggest fan of magical realism but this one piqued my interest, and the cover was too cute to resist. I liked how we followed quite a few characters and got to know each one pretty well. For a middle-grade read I feel like this was on the darker side with all of the grief that the characters are going through while recovering from "the sickness" that knocked out their town. The coming of age journeys for each of the characters was so fun to follow. I absolutely adored the friendships and how strong they grew. This is such a cute series for younger teens with just the right amount of magic.