Neptune Project

The science fiction novel Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke is about a teen who soon finds out she is half-fish, as she sets out to live her new life at sea, she meets up with a group of teens just like her, and they explore the ocean waters up close, both the beauty and the danger. The main character is Nere, before she was born, her genes were altered to survive in the ocean, along with many others. These new adaptations allowed her to see in the dark and deep waters of the sea, heal quicker than on land, breathe underwater using her gill filaments, and speak telepathically (since you can’t really talk underwater). Nere is a very caring and loving to all of her beloved. She has proved that, even if there is a deep wound, Nere can always find a way to forgive. When Nere first rose to be the leader, she was nervous and unsure, but later, Nere became confident and secured through the help of her friends. The main problem is the risky and treacherous journey to the safe haven that Nere’s father has prepared for a new underwater colony. Along the way are the ever constant sharks that come darting to the smell of blood, as well as all the other deep sea predators, such as the giant squid, with its razor sharp beak and lashing tentacles, with a thousand suckers on each one, each sucker sharp like a knife. There is also the ever-present worry that they might get captured by the Marine Guards, then sent to a work camp, or a lab, or even a prison ship! The most devastating fact, is that everyone on land wants to take them captive, for the offer of a large amount of money. My opinion is that this is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read! For one, I love the romance! It’s not too deep, but enough to keep you going. There is also the action that I love, when they fight the sharks, explore the caves, and have hand-hand combat lessons. I also love how every single page keeps your eyes stuck to the words. When I read just a few chapters in, I couldn’t stop! It was so good. No matter what you’re looking for, romance, action, science, sadness, joy, this book has got it all! Although I do recommend, that if you want to stop reading when you are into this book, don’t even try to stop at the end of a chapter, each one is like a cliffhanger! -Serena

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